Long Beach Initiated Stadium Feasibility Study
The city has allocated $80,000 for a consultant to evaluate a professional sports venue in the downtown area.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Volleyball
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Long Beach officials have issued a request for proposals to determine the feasibility of a new stadium on a 13-acre site near the local convention center. The project aims to capitalize on the international attention surrounding the city’s role as a 2028 Olympic and Paralympic host.
Why it matters
By identifying potential professional sports tenants, the city hopes to secure long-term investment that builds upon the momentum generated by hosting major global athletic competitions.
The city has approved a budget of $80,000 to study the 13-acre parking lot adjacent to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. This effort follows the city's role in hosting League One Volleyball finals at the Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach in March 2026.
The players
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
This facility serves as a major hub for public events and sits adjacent to the proposed site for the new downtown stadium.
League One Volleyball
This professional league recently brought major sports competition to the local area during its 2026 finals.
Los Angeles Angels
This Major League Baseball franchise was the target of a failed 2018 attempt by the city to secure a professional sports tenant.
The details
The city is seeking a consultant to evaluate facility requirements and infrastructure needs, including potential expansions for local water taxi services. This initiative follows a previous, unsuccessful 2018 effort to relocate the Los Angeles Angels to the area.
Timeline
The city unsuccessfully attempted to relocate the Angels in 2018.
League One Volleyball finals were held at the Pyramid in March 2026.
The deadline for consultant bids is set for next week.
The LA Orbit team is scheduled to play home games in Inglewood in 2027.
Long Beach will host 11 Olympic and seven Paralympic events in 2028.
Season Trajectory
This study marks a significant effort to shift the city from a temporary host of high-profile events to a permanent home for professional sports franchises. It reflects a long-term strategy to leverage the international visibility of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to establish a sustainable sports ecosystem.
The study will determine if the 13-acre site can support a viable stadium, which could drastically alter the local professional sports landscape. Residents may see infrastructure changes, such as expanded water taxi services, if the city moves forward with the development.
The takeaway
The city is positioning its downtown real estate to compete for permanent sports tenants beyond temporary event hosting. This study represents the initial phase of a broader 50-year plan to transform the area into a hub for major league athletics.
What happens next
The deadline for consultants to submit bids for the one-year feasibility study contract is next week.
Further reading
Learn more about the local sports scene in the Volleyball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Long Beach Post.
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