Uniting for America’s Games: Mayor Bass, Mayor Holt Sign Agreement Committing to Continued Collaboration To Deliver World-Class 2028 Olympic Games

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L.A. is Host Cityfor 2028 Games; Oklahoma Cityto Stage Canoe Slalom and Softball at Existing Elite Facilities

OKLAHOMACITY, OK- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Oklahoma CityMayor David Holt today signed a Memorandum of Understanding ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games focused on innovation and coordination as both mayors commit to delivering incredible experiences for residents, fans and athletes that will continue benefiting their cities for generations to come.

The 2028 Games will be a first-of-its-kind event, taking advantage of venues across Los Angeles and in Oklahoma Cityto deliver a financially responsible and more sustainable Games. RIVERSPORT, an existing purpose-built facility in Oklahoma City, will serve as the official Canoe Slalom venue for the 2028 Olympic Games. Oklahoma Citywill also stage Olympic Softball in 2028. B-roll of the two venues is available here.

"Los Angeles will shine when the Olympic flame is lit in just under three years. While we are proud to be the host cityfor the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these really will be America's Games, including events happening right here in Oklahoma City," said Mayor Karen Bass. "The agreement that Mayor Holt and I are signing today only deepens our commitment to delivering world-class experiences for residents, fans and athletes alike and making smart, sustainable investments that will benefit our cities for generations to come."

"This is an incredible partnership between L.A. and OKC, and it is truly a win-win for both cities," said Mayor David Holt. "For OKC, it allows for this region of the country to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2028, and for that, I am so grateful for the friendship and partnership we have had with Mayor Bass, her team, the L.A. CityCouncil, and LA28. This event and this MOU reflect this continuing partnership that means so much to the people of Oklahoma City."

Mayor Bass is in Oklahoma City, Oklahomato participate in the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Fall Leadership Meeting. Earlier today, Mayor Bass, who serves as the USCM Chair on Homelessness, spoke about her urgent efforts to combat the homelessness crisis. Under her leadership, Los Angeles has seen a decline in homelessness for two years in a row, bucking nationwide and statewide trends. A video of the Mayor's remarks is available here.

The Memorandum of Understanding includes the Articles below. Read the full MOU here.

Introduction

In July 2017, during its 130th Session, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the Cityof Los Angeles.

Subsequently, LA28 (the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games) determined that, in alignment with the IOC's Olympic Agenda 2020+5 which urges Organizing Committees to reduce the complexity and cost of the Games, including making use of existing facilities that may be outside the region of the Host City, that Oklahoma Citywould stage two Olympic sports of the 2028 Games, making use of Oklahoma City's existing world-class athletic facilities. This partnership was publicly announced in June 2024 and officially approved by the CityCouncil of the Cityof Los Angeles on March 28, 2025.

Throughout the multi-year process that culminated in this partnership, the mayors of each cityhave collaborated closely. The mayors of the Cityof Los Angeles and the Cityof Oklahoma Cityhereby enter into this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to deepen the collaboration and ensure that both mayors-on behalf of their cities-are building on their close ties and friendship to deliver better cities for their residents before, during, and after the LA28 Games. This MOU focuses on the key areas of legacy and inclusion, innovation, and coordination.

Memorandum of Understanding

WHEREAS, the International Olympic Committee selected Los Angeles as the Host Cityof the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad 2028; and

WHEREAS, LA28, the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, identified Oklahoma Cityas an ideal cityto stage key Olympic sporting events; and

WHEREAS, LA28 has committed to utilizing existing infrastructure in order to host the Games and to emphasize the importance of sustainability and cost efficiency, and Oklahoma Cityis home to several existing world-class facilities that can be utilized for the LA28 Games; and

WHEREAS, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be "America's Games," benefiting communities, cities, and states across the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, the mayors of Los Angeles and Oklahoma Cityhereby state their aim to bolster a close and ongoing collaboration guided by the values of pragmatism, mutual benefit, efficiency, cost reduction, and transparency. The mayors of Los Angeles and Oklahoma Citydo so by agreeing to the following Articles:

Article 1: Legacy and Inclusion

The mayors of Los Angeles and Oklahoma Citycommit to hosting an inclusive Games. They will work to ensure that their cities share expertise in expanding economic opportunities for small businesses, women, minorities, veterans, and others. The mayors will also share best practices in promoting accessibility, health and wellness, youth sports, human rights, sustainability, small and local business success, and more.

Article 2: Innovation

The mayors of Los Angeles and Oklahoma Citycommit to leveraging the LA28 Games to invest in innovative, data-driven solutions to common challenges faced by cities. They will promote dialogue among small businesses, start-ups, local innovation and economic development agencies, tourism offices, chambers of commerce and industry, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, and others.

Article 3: Coordination

The mayors of Los Angeles and Oklahoma Citycommit to engaging in frequent dialogue and collaboration to ensure coordination between the two cities in the lead-up to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Under the leadership of Mayor Karen Bass and Mayor David Holt, they and/or their representatives will engage in quarterly coordination sessions to ensure swift and transparent information flow, share best practices, and address issues affecting both cities.

This Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Oklahoma Cityon Friday, September 26, 2025, by Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles, and David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City.

Preparing for the Games

Since taking office, Mayor Bass has moved Los Angeles forward to ensure that the world sees the best of the city. The Games will produce a lasting legacy for Angelenos for decades to come, and young Angelenos are already benefiting from the 2028 Games. The Mayor celebrated more than one million enrollments in PlayLA- a program that offers youth and adaptive sports at a low cost for kids across L.A. thanks to funding from the 2028 Games. The Mayor joined young Angelenos and Paralympians to celebrate this achievement at the LA Memorial Coliseum, which will make history as the first venue to host three Olympic Games - in 1932, 1984 and 2028.

To ensure that L.A.'s small businesses benefit from the Games, Mayor Bass launched 'ProcureLA'to create a pipeline of businesses that are ready and equipped to win contracting opportunities ahead of major events. Through the program, businesses will receive one-on-one consultation from the City's Business Source Centers, training and assistance with certification, proposal development, and more to equip small businesses for successful bidding.

Mayor Bass also reaffirmed the City's commitmentto ensuring that the delivery and legacy of the Games are inclusive of people with disabilities, including by signing an official Games Host CityAccessibility Commitment, developing and overseeing the implementation of a Games Accessibility Plan and by appointing the City's first-ever Accessibility Chief within the Office of Major Events.

Momentum For A Better Los Angeles

Los Angeles has seen a decline in homelessness for two years in a row - bucking nationwide and statewide trends. Mayor Bass is leading lasting change, with a 17.5% decrease in street homelessness since she took office and permanent housing placements at an all-time high. Safety in Los Angeles has also improved as a result of innovative comprehensive strategies that include law enforcement and a community safety approach. Violent crime is down in Los Angeles and homicide totals are the lowest in decades.