Business Strategy: Development ahead of OKC 2028 Olympic bid stimulating long-term growth

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The Paris Olympics have come to a close, and Oklahoma City residents are particularly interested in the experiences of satellite locations like Tahiti, as our city is up for consideration to take on a similar role. In 2028, the Olympic flame could come to Oklahoma City as the host of two Olympic events, softball and canoe slalom.

Preparation is underway as leaders plan the necessary infrastructure investments to secure the event. The Alliance is urging organizers to proceed with a focus on long-term growth.

As officials prepare, the emphasis is not just on our immediate excitement but on ensuring that the investments made now will benefit the city long after the 2028 Olympics conclude. This is a unique opportunity to leverage these developments to create a lasting impact. The recent approval by the city council to transfer over $3 million from MAPS4 funds to enhance Riversport is an example of early investment.

Oklahoma City is a fantastic choice to host the canoe slalom and softball events, thanks to its top-tier facilities and ability to accommodate an influx of athletes and tourists. Riversport OKC is a world-class venue for rowing, kayaking, and other water sports, and new investments will ensure that Riversport maintains its status as one of the world’s best water sports facilities.
Additionally, our community’s legacy of softball excellence influenced the construction of the USA Softball headquarters and the Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City’s Devon Park. In recent years, the stadium saw improvements in the dugouts, underground training gyms, and expanded seating to accommodate the World Series in 2019. The 2022 Women’s World Series set a world record for single day attendance of 12,533 fans. We’ll again see those investments pay off if the city secures satellite status for the 2028 games.

The Alliance believes that the combination of upcoming infrastructure improvements and increased visibility worldwide would solidify Oklahoma City’s reputation as an excellent choice for major sporting events. Hosting these events has the potential to generate significant job growth across hospitality, construction, transportation, retail, media, and various service industries, offering immediate and long-term economic benefits to residents.

With eyes on these two world-class facilities, there is greater potential to attract future high-profile events to Oklahoma City and foster long-term growth in local tourism and hospitality.

Kenton Tsoodle is president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.