AECOM, a Dallas-based firm, has been named the venue infrastructure partner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it was announced last week. The company will play a crucial role in the planning and management of the venues for the Games.

As the official venue infrastructure partner, AECOM will oversee the development and implementation of the venue infrastructure program for the highly anticipated 2028 Summer Olympics. The Games will feature over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports, with approximately 800 events, and are expected to involve more than 15,000 athletes. This will be the third time Los Angeles hosts the Olympic Games, following its previous roles in 1932 and 1984.

The infrastructure development will primarily consist of temporary venues and modifications to existing permanent venues, aligning with the organizers' focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The events will be spread across several clusters of venues located throughout Los Angeles, as per the plans outlined by AECOM.

The firm’s role will include various services such as architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management for the venue infrastructure. AECOM’s subsidiary, AECOM Hunt, will take charge of procurement, cost estimation, scheduling, and construction management tasks related to the infrastructure of the venues.

Additionally, AECOM had previously provided technical support, design services, sustainability consulting, and cost estimation for the LA 2024/LA28 Exploratory Committee, which examined the feasibility of Los Angeles hosting the Olympics.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games unite the world through sport, and we are honored to contribute our expertise to help bring LA28’s vision to life,” said AECOM CEO Troy Rudd.

In an effort to make the 2028 Games more sustainable, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has proposed making the event a “no-car” affair, according to reports from The Guardian. However, AECOM's project page notes that this plan does not require any new transportation infrastructure beyond what is already being developed in the region.

This partnership is not the first time AECOM has contributed to a global sporting event. The firm previously supported the Olympics in London (2012), Rio de Janeiro (2016), and Tokyo (2021).

The involvement of AECOM in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics highlights the growing trend of sustainable, efficient planning for major global events. Given the emphasis on temporary structures and enhancements to existing venues, the 2028 Games will aim to leave a minimal environmental footprint while still delivering world-class facilities. AECOM's extensive experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects positions it as a key player in ensuring the successful execution of the Games.

AECOM's role is also pivotal in maintaining the cost-effectiveness of the project. By utilizing existing venues and implementing temporary overlays, the firm will help reduce the financial burden on the city while still ensuring top-quality facilities for athletes and spectators. This approach also underscores a broader movement in Olympic planning to make the Games more economically viable and less dependent on long-term infrastructure investments that often become underutilized after the event.

In addition to its role as the venue infrastructure partner, AECOM's extensive experience in global sporting events means it is well-positioned to anticipate the unique challenges of hosting the Olympics in a sprawling urban environment like Los Angeles. The complexity of the project will require seamless coordination between multiple venues, city agencies, and contractors to ensure everything runs smoothly during the Games.

As part of the push for sustainability, AECOM will also likely focus on energy-efficient solutions and innovative design concepts that minimize waste and reduce the carbon footprint of the event. This focus aligns with broader trends in urban development and major international events, where sustainability and environmental responsibility are becoming increasingly important to both organizers and participants.

Finally, while the no-car initiative proposed by Mayor Bass has garnered attention, it remains to be seen how it will impact transportation logistics and athlete mobility during the event. Nevertheless, the ongoing focus on enhancing the region’s existing infrastructure and leveraging advanced transportation technologies could help mitigate potential challenges.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive.