LA28 Olympics shifts International Broadcast Center to Warner Bros. Ranch

The relocation signals a prioritisation of technical scale and centralized infrastructure over proximity to core venues like SoFi Stadium. By selecting a purpose-built 16-stage complex, LA28 is accommodating the massive data and production requirements of global rights holders in a single, high-capacity environment. This move highlights the growing reliance on massive, modern studio lots to handle the transition toward decentralized, cloud-enhanced Olympic broadcasting. In the wider ecosystem, it cements Burbank's role as the primary technical nerve center for high-stakes live sports, diverging from the trend of temporary venue-adjacent builds. Industry observers should watch for specialized technical outfitting at the Ranch starting in early 2027.

The move to the Warner Bros. Ranch follows a massive $500 million redevelopment of the historic 32-acre site originally known as the Columbia Ranch. Per the Los Angeles Times in October 2021, the project involved demolishing famous backlot sets to make way for nearly 1 million square feet of new construction, including 16 soundstages and a 320,000-square-foot office complex. This redevelopment was part of a larger "Second Century" expansion by Warner Bros. Discovery to modernize its production footprint in anticipation of its 100th anniversary.

While the International Broadcast Center (IBC) has traditionally been housed in convention centers—such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup hub in Dallas—the LA28 decision utilizes California's existing entertainment infrastructure. Per NBC Sports and Variety reporting from 2024 and 2025, the local organizing committee has been under pressure to optimize venue usage to avoid the "white elephant" stadium issues of past Games. Utilizing an existing, newly renovated studio lot reduces the need for temporary construction at Hollywood Park while providing a turnkey solution for Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).

According to TV Technology in July 2026, the split-hub model—with the IBC in Burbank and the Main Press Center in Inglewood—allows for better management of the thousands of media personnel expected. This strategy aligns with the IOC's "New Norm" framework, which encourages cities to use existing facilities and temporary infrastructure to control costs. The Ranch Lot officially reopened for production in March 2026 and is already servicing major series, proving its operational readiness two years ahead of the Games.