Los Angeles Businesses Get Olympic Licensing Opportunity
Local manufacturers can now apply for official 2028 Games partnership status to produce branded merchandise.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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LA28 has named Homeboy Industries the first local licensing partner for 2028 Summer Olympics merchandise. This initiative, part of the Made for Two-Eight program, allows local manufacturers to produce and sell Olympic-branded goods to capture regional economic benefits.
Why it matters
The partnership signals a strategy by the organizing committee to distribute economic opportunities beyond global brands like Nike or Ralph Lauren. For local operators, the program offers a pathway to secure official licensing through the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement.
Homeboy Industries is the inaugural local partner selected from the region to produce merchandise for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The program aims to scale up, with final licensing partners for the Games to be announced by July 2027.
The players
LA28
The private organizing committee responsible for the planning and delivery of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
Homeboy Industries
A Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides job training, counseling, and tattoo removal services to former gang members.
The details
Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery will produce T-shirts featuring official LA28 and Olympic torch logos, with profits supporting the nonprofit's gang intervention and job training services. The organization will retail these items at its Chinatown headquarters, its three existing diners, and via its online portal. The organizing committee collects a royalty fee on each unit sold, while local businesses must use the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement to apply for future manufacturing slots.
Timeline
Oct. 20, 2026: Application window opens for the licensing program.
February 2027: Application window closes for the licensing program.
Summer 2027: Target completion for the local manufacturing program.
July 2027: Announcement of the licensed local business partners.
July 2028: Opening of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Market Landscape
The Made for Two-Eight program marks a strategic departure from the traditional Olympic reliance on a small circle of global athletic wear giants. This localized sourcing model aims to embed the event's economic impact directly into the surrounding Los Angeles manufacturing ecosystem.
Local manufacturers interested in securing official Olympic licensing should monitor the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement for upcoming application phases. Operators should evaluate their current production capacity now to ensure they can meet the stringent requirements of a high-profile global event.
The takeaway
The Made for Two-Eight program represents a deliberate effort to diversify the Olympic supply chain. Business owners should review their operational readiness and registration status on the procurement portal before the February 2027 application deadline.
What happens next
Interested local businesses must submit their applications for the licensing program via the official portal between Oct. 20, 2026, and February 2027.
Further reading
For more on how local businesses engage with community-focused initiatives, see Philanthropy.
More information
Apply for licensing opportunities through the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement.
Live Poll
Should local businesses be prioritized to sell official merchandise for major international events in your area?
