The Global Association of International Sports Federations announced Monday it has selected Los Angeles to host the inaugural World Urban Games in 2019 and the second edition in 2021.
The agreement for the 2021 edition is conditional on the success of the 2019 event, a statement said. The Los Angeles bid was one of two to make the final cut along with Budapest.
The GAISF made the decision Monday morning in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“The first World Urban Games will be a historic event and we are confident that we couldn’t have a better host than the city of Los Angeles,” said GAISF Senior vice President Raffaele Chiulli. “L.A. is a young, vibrant and creative city which has helped to shape youth culture and the urban sports which are the very heart of the World Urban Games.
“These games will be a five-day festival combining new-generation sports, music and culture and L.A. promises a huge welcome for the world*s leading urban sports athletes and fans from across the world.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, chairman and CEO of NantWorks and owner and executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times, will chair the World Urban Games L.A. Organizing Committee.
“We are honored that the GAISF council chose Los Angeles and we’re excited to bring youth-focused sports competitions to the community,” he said.