Hollywood residents know Oscar Weekend actually lasts three weeks. Street and sidewalk closures for the show, which is tomorrow, actually began 21 days ago, meaning that, for this month, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed to cars more days than it will be open. Due to the volume of premieres at the cluster of theaters here, this is actually not that unusual, and why Hollywood Boulevard should be closed to cars all the time. During the Oscars, LAPD goes one step further and closes the Hollywood and Highland subway station for the day which seems unnecessarily cruel to neighbors, show workers, and Ed Begley, Jr., the only attendee who takes transit to the ceremony. They all must walk one mile from the Vine station, which I really hope is not a harbinger for other megaevents set to descend upon LA.
All of this, of course, is in the name of security. Which is also what makes it incredibly expensive to accommodate these major events. With just 89 days until the World Cup, the $625 million in federal security funding promised months ago is finally coming to host cities, but some of those cities were starting to really freak out. The tiny Boston suburb — Foxboro? Foxborough? — that's home to Gillette Stadium couldn't afford the $8 million to pay their estimated police costs and almost told FIFA to take a hike, until an agreement was reached this week where Boston's World Cup host committee will front the costs and get reimbursed by the feds.
Forcing hosts to simply absorb what will certainly be an exorbitant amount of police overtime just highlights another way these deals are bad for cities. So why aren't the security costs for these major events being covered by the event organizers?
Since 2024, the Oscars have provided a new path forward for shouldering the policing costs of major events. That year, the city of LA negotiated a new contract with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that runs through 2029. The goal of the contract is clear: to "provide supplemental City services," including "delivery of public safety, traffic management, and other City services," for the annual ceremony. But here's the important part: the contract gradually shifts the costs of those supplemental city services onto the Academy. And here's the extra important part: "For the avoidance of doubt, Organizer shall reimburse the City for all costs that are directly attributable to the provision of supplemental law enforcement services to the Academy Awards."
Just about every story you'll read about the Oscars this year is about how LAPD is ramping up security due to Donald Trump's new war. Aside from the typical barricades and metal detectors lining the Walk of Fame, the additional measures sound eerily similar to what's planned for 2028, including a "one-mile security perimeter" where cars and bags will be checked around the mall where the Oscars are held. (Yes, sorry to ruin it for anyone not in LA — the Oscars are held in a mall.) A general reminder that we're already under that special federal security designation for 2028 which allows for greater cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies. But there's also something pretty messed up about cooperating with federal law enforcement agencies on security when the federal government itself is what's making it more dangerous for everyone in LA to simply exist.
At the very least, as we watch celebrities arrive via Escalade to stroll a pedestrianized Hollywood Boulevard, we can rest assured the city of LA is not paying for it. It's certainly something I'd be looking at closely if I was negotiating a city services agreement with LA28 that's almost six months overdue. 🔥
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Our new World Cup order
As of right now, there's a lot of uncertainty about LA's summer plans
Iran says the country will not compete in the World Cup,throwing the two Iran matches at SoFi into a state of flux. FIFA hasn't announced anything officially yet, but The Athletichas a good guide to what might happen next. ("There is no modern-era World Cup precedent.") Trump, after initially welcoming Iran's team, changed his mind, saying "I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," which was surely reassuring to the estimated 200,000 Iranian Americans in LA. Shout out to all the sports writers who said oh-so-confidently that a boycott was unlikely!
Iran's team provided a pointed response: "The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual, country. Certainly, no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of 'host' yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event." I mean, hey, um, seriously, should the U.S. really be allowed to host these games? Join me and "sports crank" Jennifer Doyle for the next Torched Talks on Monday, March 16 at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the local World Cup activations are activated with the first community day happening today in Grand Park. Oddly this was not announced until just days before: "the event will bring together registered volunteers and local artists to collaboratively decorate oversized soccer ball installations — inspired by the six national teams confirmed to play in Los Angeles — creating a powerful visual welcome to the world." Here's the most recent community activation toolkit should you need a refresher on what's planned for this summer — if it doesn't all totally change. Looking forward to that bus tour as a model for all megaevent engagement!
It will cost more to take an Uber to LAX thanks to a smart vote from the airport's board this week that raises the fee ride-hailing vehicles pay to $12 in the horseshoe and $6 at the people mover. (No fee increases until the people mover opens, so maybe... never?) LA28 sponsor Uber tried to get users to voice opposition, claiming that "similarly sized airports" collect lower fees, which simply isn't true. What's truly remarkable about all this is how it demonstrates LAX officials clearly understand that pricing vehicles, not widening roads, is what reduces congestion. Now cancel that LAX-pressway! 🦋
LA's City Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday that "expresses concern regarding the potential conflict between the Olympic movement’s values and Casey Wasserman’s association with the Epstein files, and calls for a thorough and transparent review of his involvement in the ongoing investigations into these matters." The resolution will now be distributed to the LA28 board as well as IOC members. Earlier in the week, Wasserman's agency rebranded to "The Team"as he preps for a sale. An unsurprising move as the previous company was nicknamed "Team Wass." Harder to get that new Instagram handle, however. 🦋
🥵 Paralympians are furious about deteriorating snow conditions that come from being scheduled after the Olympics. As I wrote a few weeks ago, the schedule for 2028 almost certainly guarantees a hotter Paralympics
🏗️ Love this documentary by SNCF about building rail lines for the Paris games
🇺🇸 LA2026 is a series of conversations at local cultural institutions framing the U.S. semiquincentennial through the perspective of California and the West — still waiting for more details from LA28 on that Cultural Olympiad
🚲 LADOT needs your input on safety improvements planned for Sunset from Echo Park to Downtown, a key corridor for 2028
Registration for LA28's ticket draw closes next week so they've released maps to help fans plan their ticket-purchasing strategies. You're supposed to use them to cluster your activities and figure out where to stay while in town. I find it very interesting that these maps — which we've been waiting a long time to see — are being targeted towards spectators and not towards the communities impacted, some of whom still might not know what's planned for their neighborhoods. The new maps also note that LA28 sponsor Airbnb will start to take bookings for ticketholders in July 2026. Reminder that the city of LA sued Airbnb for price gouging after the fires. I'm sure nothing like that will happen again!
One down. Captured after the high winds on the morning of the marathon. A few of you messaged me to confirm just how hot it was out there. I've asked how many runners took the 18-mile finish option due to the heat, but the marathon organizers are still working on that data
What Torched subscribers are reading
Some details from the LA Times on those missing human rights strategies. LA's World Cup host committee will deliver theirs in May. No one seems to know what happened to LA28's? "Sharon Tso, the city’s chief legislative analyst, and Matthew Szabo, the city’s administrative officer, both said they have not seen the report and 'nothing appears on the council file,' according to Tso"
Lauren Halsey's sister dreamer sculpture park opens in South LA Saturday: "There are so few dedicated to women I would suspect that every good feminist around the world will want to come and spend some time there to really take in that energy and to be restored by it." Saturday's block party opening will include a popup skatepark on Western by Neighbors Skate Park
Over at Bloomberg, Patrick Sisson tries to figure out if can LA28 can deliver an electrified games. (Not entirely, but some interesting insights into how to power and charge all those buses, specifically)
And I'm excited for this: Service Request, a new series by 99% Invisible about city service delivery
Les temps torchée
Live shot of me in Paris after one glass of champagne. IOC
As you might have read, I'm going to Paris at the end of the month — thanks to everyone who has sent such remarkable recommendations and offers to connect. I learned I actually do have quite a few Torched subscribers in Paris so I'm planning a happy hour on the evening of April 2. If you're there, save the date!
Alissa Walker
Alissa Walker
