Los Angeles Convention Center's $2.6B Expansion Reshapes Downtown Ahead Of 2028 Olympics

• Los Angeles Convention Center is undergoing a $2.6 billion expansion
• Project will create a unified convention campus spanning more than 750,000 square feet
• Construction is tied closely to preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games

What The Expansion Project Includes

Downtown Los Angeles is moving forward with one of the largest convention center redevelopment projects currently underway in the United States. The Los Angeles Convention Center is in the middle of a massive $2.6 billion expansion designed to modernize the campus ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. One of the project’s most significant features is a new exhibit hall being constructed directly above Pico Boulevard, finally connecting the convention center into a single continuous facility. Once complete, the unified campus will span more than 750,000 square feet of event and exhibition space.

What New Features Are Being Added

Beyond the expanded exhibit space, the redevelopment introduces several major architectural and hospitality-focused upgrades. Plans include a rooftop terrace overlooking Downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills, a new ballroom, upgraded circulation systems, and a large multi-level atrium known as the “Skynode.” The project also includes modernized interiors, escalators, elevators, and public gathering areas to improve visitor flow and large-scale event functionality. The upgrades are intended to position Los Angeles more competitively within the national convention and tourism market ahead of the Olympics.

What This Means For Downtown Los Angeles

The expansion is expected to significantly reshape the South Park and Convention Center district surrounding Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live. City leaders have long viewed the convention center as a critical economic engine tied to tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and large-scale event activity. By modernizing the facility and increasing contiguous exhibition space, Los Angeles hopes to attract larger conventions, trade shows, and international events that previously required more unified campuses found in cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.

What The Olympic Timeline Looks Like

Construction will continue in phases leading up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to city officials, work will temporarily pause during the Olympics to ensure the convention center remains operational throughout the international event period. The broader redevelopment is expected to be fully completed in spring 2029. The project represents one of the most visible public infrastructure investments currently reshaping Downtown Los Angeles ahead of the global spotlight arriving in 2028.