The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee -LA28- has decided to stage the Diving events at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, an existing venue requiring minimal adaptations. The measure reflects LA28’s commitment to hosting sustainable Games, maximizing the reuse of infrastructure and reducing the need for new construction, while safeguarding athlete safety.

The decision can be better understood in light of recent Olympic models. Paris 2024 ended with an estimated total cost of USD 8.2 to 8.7 billion, driven by major permanent infrastructure projects and an extensive security deployment. By contrast, Milano Cortina 2026 operates with a leaner EUR 1.7 billion budget, but this figure excludes approximately EUR 3.5 billion in infrastructure investments funded by the Italian government and private partners, bringing the overall cost of the event to more than EUR 5 billion.

In comparison, LA28 projects a budget of around USD 6.9 billion, higher than Milano Cortina but lower than Paris. Crucially, Los Angeles relies on existing venues and limited new works, as exemplified by the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, to keep costs under control.

USD 17.6 million in savings and additional revenue

In June 2024, LA28 presented an updated venue plan that generated more than USD 150 million in savings and additional revenue, later endorsed by the Los Angeles City Council in March 2025. Initially, Diving had been assigned to the 1932 Pool in Exposition Park, but a subsequent technical review concluded that the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center provided greater safety, capacity, and financial viability at a lower adaptation cost. The relocation is also expected to generate up to USD 17.6 million in combined savings and revenue growth, reinforcing LA28’s goal of hosting fiscally responsible Games.

“This represents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our Diving athletes, with their safety remaining our top priority,” said Reynold Hoover, LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “The decision to stage Diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is beneficial on all fronts, and we are grateful to our Host City and Venue City partners for their unwavering support and collaboration as we finalize the 2028 Games Plan.”

A model with limited reliance on new infrastructure

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center already meets Olympic standards for Diving, which minimizes the interventions needed ahead of 2028. While Milano Cortina 2026 faces projects such as a new sliding center and a hockey arena—both included within a EUR 3.5 billion public-private infrastructure package—Los Angeles benefits from a consolidated network of sports venues, requiring only light adaptations and exerting less pressure on the overall budget.

In parallel, LA28 is working with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks on long-term improvements to community facilities such as the John C. Argue Swim Stadium in Exposition Park. This public-private approach complements the sustainability strategy and ensures lasting benefits for the city well beyond 2028.