When a home run soars over the outfield fence or a referee signals a touchdown, fans feel the thrill in real time. But the value of major sports and entertainment events ultimately runs much deeper, extending beyond the field of play and into the communities that make Los Angeles a world-class host city.
High-profile events generate opportunities for small businesses, uplift community organizations, and promote a civic pride that connects Angelenos across the region through the power of sports.
This year, the Los Angeles area has hosted two of professional sports’ marquee events—the Super Bowl and MLB All-Star Week—each of which returned to the region for the first time in decades. Below are a few of the ways these events elevated the Los Angeles area and set the stage for the years ahead.
Super Bowl LVI (February 2022)
When Los Angeles hosted Super Bowl LVI at state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, the region demonstrated why it is among the world’s premier sports and entertainment destinations.
During the week of the Super Bowl, the NFL contracted more than 74,000 hotel room nights in the region; LA Metro recorded more than 3.27 million rides, and more than 100,000 visitors stopped by the LA Convention Center for the five-day Super Bowl Experience event. To capitalize on the hundreds of millions of dollars in related economic impact for the region, the Business Connect program helped 250 local diverse businesses compete for contract opportunities.
In addition, the Super Bowl LVI Legacy Program “Champions Live Here” recognized 56 “unsung hero” non-profits with $800,000 combined grant awards and professionally produced videos designed to advance their organizations’ respective missions.
MLB All-Star Week (July 2022)
In mid-July, the MLB All-Star Game returned to Dodger Stadium after 42 years. Beyond standout contests like the Home Run Derby and the MLB All-Star Game, the week-long showcase included fan events stretching from the coast to downtown. Combined attendance for All-Star Oceanfront at the Santa Monica Pier and PLAY BALL PARK at the LA Convention Center was more than 151,000 visitors.
As part of the festivities, MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation contributed more than $6 million to local non-profits. Funding delivered through MLB All-Star Week benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA, sports-based youth development organizations, homeless veterans through Volunteers of America Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Baby2Baby. MLB also partnered with Heal The Bay, Players For The Planet, and Corona to hold a beach clean-up in Santa Monica, where more than 375 volunteers collected 167 pounds of trash.
Major events like these continue to deliver immense economic and social impact across Los Angeles communities, with much more to come as the region prepares to host the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2026 FIFA World Cup™, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the coming years. Stay tuned!