2026 is shaping up to be a big one for South LA and Inglewood, from vital local elections to a pair of major sports events — the FIFA World Cup and NBA All-Star Game — that will draw eyes from across the planet.
We’re keeping an eye on how those big stories will affect day-to-day life in South LA and Inglewood, as well as tracking issues like city budget cuts and access to public records.
Here are the six top stories we’re following as the year gets rolling:
National and international sporting events come to Inglewood
The NBA All-Star Game, 3-point shoot-off and dunk contest will return to Inglewood in February for the first time since 1983. That year, the game was played at the Forum, then home to the Lakers, but this time, the Clippers will host the game at the year-old Intuit Dome down the street.
Four months later, Inglewood will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup with the largest tournament field ever. Two U.S. group stage matches will be played at SoFi Stadium. Other nations to play in Inglewood include Iran, Belgium and Paraguay. Depending on how the tournament shakes out, Mexico’s national team could land at SoFi for a knockout-stage match.
The two globally watched events will also serve as dress rehearsals for the 2028 Olympics as Inglewood and Los Angeles ramp up their preparations. Ticket sales for Olympic events begin Jan. 14.
This year’s elections will include literal fireworks
LA Mayor Karen Bass is seeking reelection, and Inglewood Mayor James Butts could be elected to a fifth term during November’s general election.
LA City Councilmember Curren Price is in his final term in office, meaning District 9, which covers Historic South Central and stretches west as far as Normandie Avenue, will see a new representative elected in November. In Inglewood, Gloria Gray’s District 1 council seat and Alex Padilla’s District 2 seat will be up for election.
Literal fireworks will be on the ballot in Inglewood in June. A proposed ballot measure could legalize the sale of some tamer firework variants within city limits.
Inglewood Unified School District faces big review
Inglewood’s K-12 public school district has been under state receivership since 2012, when severe budget issues led state leaders to wrest power away from trustees and appoint an administrator.
James Morris, the district’s current administrator, told The LA Local in November that the district could at last be headed back toward local control. State officials are slated to visit in the coming weeks and publish their findings over the summer.
A favorable report would be the district’s first major step toward returning decision-making power to local elected officials.
LA navigates financial issues, budget cuts loom
Los Angeles city leaders are still trying to navigate the city out of budget troubles. Facing a nearly $1 billion deficit, the city approved plans to axe hundreds of jobs in June, LAist reported.
More cuts could come this summer, including to city homelessness programs and services. We’ll keep track of any cuts — from housing programs to sidewalk repairs — and tell you how they’re going to affect your block.
Inglewood cops turn over misconduct records — or keep them under wraps
Since 2021, Inglewood and its police department have been locked in a court battle with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California over the state requirements that the city disclose police misconduct and shooting records to the public.
A judge ordered the city in November to start publishing those records online. The city hasn’t complied yet. The details of the judge’s order — including exactly which records the city must publish, in what time frame and by when — are expected to be hashed out in February.
Vision Theater to reopen in Leimert Park
The long-shuttered Vision Theater, situated in the heart of Leimert Park, is set to reopen this year, more than a decade after a major remodeling project began.
The LA Department of Cultural Affairs, which owns the building, will run the theater in partnership with the nonprofit WACO Theater Center, The LA Sentinel reported. The theater nonprofit is co-led by Tina Knowles, whose daughters Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Solange Knowles are members of the nonprofit’s advisory board.
