Los Angeles is gearing up for some major international attention as Mayor Karen Bass has joined forces with city leaders to announce a hefty slice of funding for Exposition Park, to the tune of nearly $100 million. This anticipated cash injection is aimed at sprucing up the park ahead of a couple of global sports spectacles—the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games—set to take place in the city of angels.
In remarks that echoed the high stakes and excitement for Los Angeles' busy sporting schedule, Mayor Bass said, "Los Angeles is about to enter the most intensive – and exciting – three year period of major sporting events that any city in the world has ever experienced, and these investments will ensure that Angelenos continue to benefit from these events for decades to come," in a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office. The Exposition Park improvements are not just for show; they're also set to create hundreds of local jobs and enhance visitor accessibility.
The nearly $100 million proposed funding for Exposition Park is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, which earmarks $96.5 million for necessary revamps and upkeep of the park area. Along with this, $1 million in federal funding has been secured by Representative Kamlager-Dove to add to the pot. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove commended the funding, stating, “Investing in Expo Park as we prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a win for LA, and for America," as reported by the Mayor's Office.
Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources aptly put, “These upgrades to Expo Park are essential as we welcome the world for the Olympics and Paralympics, and World Cup,” according to the Mayor's Office. The intended enhancements are lauded for not only their immediate impact in the coming events but also for their long-term improvement to the daily lives of Los Angeles residents. Such investments are seen as improving the Park's safety and usability, professed with a promise of transforming Exposition Park into a destination of global note. The undertakings are projected to generate over 300 jobs, an aspect initiating cheers amongst local regions anticipating economic stimulation from the expo renovations.
Andrea Ambriz, General Manager of Exposition Park, foregrounded the employment aspect, proudly announcing, "Over 300 jobs will be created, and I’m proud that our Park will be built through the hands of local community workers," in an interview detailed by the Mayor's Office. These jobs will not only uplift the immediate community but craft a sense of participation and pride as South Los Angeles residents directly contribute to the makeover of a local landmark.
