2028 Olympics Security: Is Your Los Angeles Business Ready?

Yes, but only if you start planning now. The 2028 Olympics will put millions of visitors, tight transit, and heavy security operations around Los Angeles, and every business near a venue or a transit route will feel it. Your business needs its own 2028 Olympics security plan, because public agencies will be focused on the Games themselves, not on your property.

Here is the short version of what this guide covers. We lay out what is confirmed about the Games, where the pressure on local businesses will come from, and a practical checklist you can start on this year.

Key Takeaways

• The 2028 Games are a National Special Security Event, so federal agencies lead the main security plan, with local police in support.
• Venues spread across more than 40 sites with a transit first plan, which means foot traffic and crowds will reach neighborhoods far from the stadiums.
• Public safety resources will be stretched. Business owners should not assume extra police attention for their own property.
• A written security plan, a trained guard presence, and clear emergency procedures are the practical steps to take well before July 2028.

What We Know About 2028 Olympics Security in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Games are scheduled to begin with early sports on July 12, 2028, followed by the Opening Ceremony on July 14. Competition runs through July 30, and the Paralympic Games follow from August 15 to 27. According to NBC Los Angeles, the Opening Ceremony is split between the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium.

Security planning is already well underway. The Secretary of Homeland Security designated the Games a National Special Security Event, as reported by LAist. That means the Secret Service is the lead federal agency and coordinates with state and local police. The head of the city's Office of Major Events, Paul Krekorian, called security the biggest concern his team has, and said responsibility is shared among federal, state, county, and city governments.

On funding, LA28 has said Congress and the administration approved $1 billion for security and operations. LAist reports that the money is distributed through the State Homeland Security Grant process and is meant to cover training, equipment, and staffing.

There are also open questions. In April 2026 the LAPD police union told NBC Los Angeles that the department has about 8,600 sworn officers and that about 10,000 are needed each day, a figure the union provided and that the article did not independently verify. The mayor's budget proposal calls for hiring more than 500 new officers. Whatever the final numbers turn out to be, the lesson for a business owner is the same: public resources will be committed to venues, transit, and large crowds first.

Why Local Businesses Feel the Impact

The Games will not stay inside the stadiums. NBC Los Angeles reports that Krekorian described a transit first Games with no parking at venues. When visitors ride trains and buses and walk between stops, they pass through shopping centers, office districts, hotels, restaurants, and parking structures that have nothing to do with the official event footprint.

The same report says LA28 is expected to produce $18 billion in local economic impact, and that most opportunities for local companies will come from tourism, hospitality, corporate events, and ancillary events rather than from the Games directly. That is good news for revenue. It also means bigger crowds, later hours, and more unfamiliar faces around your property.

Here are the kinds of risks that tend to grow when a city hosts a global event:

• Crowd surges outside venues and along transit routes.
• Theft, vandalism, and trespassing at vacant or lightly staffed properties.
• Parking lot and garage incidents when demand for space spikes.
• Disputes and disorderly behavior at bars, restaurants, retail stores, and pop up events.
• Property damage during celebrations, demonstrations, or road closures.
• Slower police response times, since officers will be committed to Games operations.

A Practical Security Checklist for 2028

You do not need to wait for the Games to begin. Many of these steps improve security for your business right now.

Review your property and your exposure

Walk your property the way an outsider would. Look at entrances, loading areas, parking, lighting, fencing, and blind spots. Ask whether your location sits near a venue, a rail or bus station, a hotel cluster, or a likely walking route. If it does, plan for crowds you have never seen before.

Decide where a human presence matters

Cameras record events. Trained guards prevent them. A visible guard at an entrance, a patrol of your lot, or a fixed post during peak hours changes how people behave. Many businesses combine mobile patrols for general coverage with dedicated guards for high traffic windows. If you are not sure which fits, our article on dedicated guards versus mobile patrols walks through the choice.

Write down your emergency plan

Know who calls whom, where staff gather, how you lock down, and how you share information with tenants and customers. An evacuation plan is only useful if staff have practiced it. Plan for road closures that change how deliveries, employees, and emergency vehicles reach you.

Talk to your landlord, insurer, and neighbors

Property managers and insurers often have requirements or guidance for major events. Neighboring businesses face the same risks, and shared patrols or shared communication channels can lower costs for everyone.

Book qualified security early

Demand for licensed guards usually rises before large events, and good people get booked first. California requires security guards to be licensed through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, so confirm any company and any guard you hire is properly licensed and insured. Our guide on how to choose a private security company lists the questions to ask.

Plan your budget

Event periods can raise the price of staffing. If you are curious what guard services cost today, read our breakdown of security costs in Los Angeles, then build a rough range for the event period into your 2028 budget.

How Iron Guard Protection Patrol Can Help

Iron Guard Protection Patrol provides armed and unarmed security guards, mobile patrols, and remote monitoring for Los Angeles businesses and property owners. We can walk your property, point out weak spots, and recommend a plan sized to your location and budget, whether that means a few patrol visits a night or dedicated guards during busy periods. Starting early gives you more options and more time to test your plan before the crowds arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the 2028 Olympics start in Los Angeles?

Early sports begin July 12, 2028, with the Opening Ceremony on July 14 and competition through July 30. The Paralympic Games run from August 15 to 27, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Who is responsible for security at the 2028 Olympics?

The Games are designated a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service as the lead federal agency. Federal, state, county, and city agencies share responsibility, and local police such as the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department work with them.

Will police protect my business during the Games?

You should not count on it. Public safety agencies will focus on venues, transit, and large crowds. Businesses are better off preparing their own plan, including trained guards where the risk justifies it.

When should a business hire security for the 2028 Olympics?

Earlier is better. Planning this year gives you time to compare licensed companies, test your procedures, and lock in coverage before demand rises. A free site assessment is a good first step.