LA’s ability to host World Cup and Olympic Games called into question in wildfires aftermath

Politicians have called for the Games to be moved

The Olympic Games were awarded to Los Angeles back in 2017 and a passing of the torch took place at the Paris 2024 closing ceremony as Tom Cruise, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Snoop Dogg and Billie Eilish all helped celebrate the next host City's assignment.

LA have hosted the Games once before in 1984 but in recent days it has been ravaged by wildfires that firefighters are still battling to control.

More than 40,000 acres have been torched since January 7 when the flames first took hold and over 82,000 people are still under mandatory evacuation orders.

The Palisades, Hurst and Eaton fires continue to rage with thousands of structures destroyed.

The Mayor of the city, Karen Bass and California Governor, Gavin Newsom have repeatedly been the subject of criticism over their handling of the devastating fires.

Though none of the venues selected for the 2028 Games is in the path of the fires this month, several US political figures have called for president-elect Donald Trump to move the Olympic Games from the city.

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has been vocal on social media saying: "The Los Angeles Olympics should be cancelled. If you can't fill a fire hydrant, you aren't qualified to host the Olympics."

Meanwhile Jim Jordan, the representative of Ohio’s fourth congressional district, has echoed the sentiment.

Speaking to Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, he said: "I do think the American people rightly see how poorly that state is being run, how poorly these tragic fires have been handled by the governor and, of course, the mayor there in Los Angeles."

He added that the games should be moved to a 'red city where you know things are going to be run properly'.

Though the sad situation in LA may be seen as a stick political figures are using to beat each other with, it does raise a number of questions around infrastructure, safety and security, and economics.

LA is anticipating the need to raise $7billion to host the Olympics, an expense many say it does not need now given the cost of these fires.

However, Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28, has touted the organising committee's pledge to use private funds and stay within budget, but should that plan fail, the State of California would be responsible for hundreds of millions in overruns.

Leading sports economist, Victor Matheson, told USA Today that he believes the fires will not affect the city's ability to host the Games.

He said: "My guess is this has little effect on the Games other than making insurance expensive."

He also pointed out that the destruction represents "only" 0.2% of the larger city and that throughout history, cities have suffered terrible destruction just before hosting major sporting events.

The 1948 Summer Games, Matheson observed, took place in London only four years removed from the city being regularly bombed in World War II. He also noted Mexico City hosted the 1986 World Cup the year after 10,000 people died during an earthquake.

According to The Independent, the Olympics is poised to bring in 15 million visitors and take place across 50 venues throughout the area, which has plans for a major revamp of its metro system.

Though the number of visitors will bring in revenue for the area, maintaining the safety and security of those visitors is paramount.

An IOC spokesperson said the organisation is in "full solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and full of admiration for the tireless work of the firefighters and the security forces."

They added: "Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property."

These fires also serve as a 'wake-up call' for sport to look at the impact of and act upon climate change.

Iris Stewart-Frey, professor in environmental science at Santa Clara University in California, told BBC Sport: "We need to take a long, hard look at the cost and benefits of each of these [major sports events].

"In no place are we immune from the things we have done to the environment. In many ways it is a wake-up call."

Since the last LA Olympics, California now has 78 more days per year when conditions are ripe for fires.

Timothy Kellison, associate professor in sport management at Florida State University, told BBC Sport: "Wildfires are really a wildcard, because we are trying to predict something that is largely unpredictable in terms of size and scope, and yet there is much research that indicates they will continue to grow, the seasons will become longer and the devastation will unfortunately increase."

Before LA28, the city will play host to eight games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup including the host nation's opening game and one of the quarter-final ties. It will also host the Super Bowl in 2027.

The tournament takes place between June 11 to July 19 - what was once considered peak wildfire season in the State of California.