For the first time in Olympic history, the San Fernando Valley will host official events during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. That’s not just a headline – it’s a milestone.
In both 1932 and 1984, Los Angeles welcomed the world for the Olympic Games. And in both instances, the San Fernando Valley – home to nearly 2 million residents and one of the largest local economies in the state – was either left out or avoided. Not a single event took place here.
But in 2028, the story is different.
The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area will host six fast-paced, high-energy Olympic competitions: BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Skateboarding Park, Skateboarding Street, Modern Pentathlon, and 3×3 Basketball. These aren’t just fringe sports. They are youth-driven, globally followed, and reflect the evolving spirit of the Games. More importantly, they are finally putting the Valley on the Olympic map.
BMX was created in the Valley, and there is a permanent exhibit at the Valley Relics Museum dedicated to the sport.
Those of us who lived in the Valley in the ’70s remember the empty pools overrun by skateboarders.
Even the Modern Pentathlon, first held in the 1912 Olympics, is getting a new look – with the horse-riding portion being replaced by an obstacle course similar to “American Ninja Warrior.” And 3×3 Basketball is a burgeoning sport with a league owned by Valley resident Ice Cube.
Prioritizing bringing games to the Valley
When I joined the quest to bring the Olympics to the City of Los Angeles in 2015, Mayor Garcetti and Casey Wasserman promised that the Valley would not be left out – and they delivered.
Now, as a member of the LA28 Board of Directors, I’m proud to see this long-overdue engagement of our region. The San Fernando Valley has long been the economic backbone of Los Angeles – home to a thriving mix of small businesses, large manufacturers, film and television studios, and a diverse workforce that keeps the city running. If the Valley were its own city, it would be the fifth largest in the country, sandwiched between Chicago and Houston.
Hosting Olympic events in the Valley is not just symbolic – it’s economically significant. Thousands of spectators, athletes, media personnel and staff will be coming into our neighborhoods. They’ll eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, and spend at our businesses. That means real revenue, real jobs and a lasting boost for the local economy.
Beyond the immediate financial impact, the infrastructure and facility upgrades coming to the Sepulveda Basin are long overdue. These improvements – from increased mobility access and transportation connections to revitalized public spaces – will benefit Valley residents long after the athletes leave town.
It’s an investment in our future, and one we’ve long deserved.
This moment is also about visibility. For too long, the Valley has quietly contributed to Los Angeles’ success without receiving its share of the spotlight. The 2028 Games change that. When millions of viewers tune in to watch a skateboarder land a trick or a BMX rider soar through the air, they’ll be watching the San Fernando Valley. They’ll see our community – not just as a backdrop, but as a vital and vibrant part of the city.
The Olympics are about global unity, youth and the future. What better place to showcase those values than right here in the Valley?
In 2028, we’re not just hosting the Games — we’re finally being recognized. The San Fernando Valley is ready.
Let the Games begin.
Stuart Waldman is president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, a business advocacy organization based in Van Nuys that represents employers in the San Fernando Valley area at the local, state and federal levels of government.
