In a special “state of the city” address on Monday, February 2, 2026, Mayor Karen Bass looked ahead to several major events that Los Angeles is set to host in the next three years—the Women’s U.S. Open, the World Cup, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. The mayor also addressed ongoing work on infrastructure projects, address encampments, and accelerate beautification efforts for residents and visitors. Her theme: “a unified Los Angeles.”
To open and close the event, marching band members from UCLA’s Solid Gold Sound and USC’s Spirit of Troy came together at the Los Angeles EXPO Center. Each band performed their fight songs, school traditions, and other musical selections for a standing room-only crowd of municipal, civic and community leaders.
The UCLA Marching Band gave the audience a lesson in the fabled eight-clap.
“I’m thrilled that our band could showcase the diversity and excellence UCLA brings to the Los Angeles community and global audiences alike,” said Justin McManus, director of the UCLA Marching Band. “Performing together as Bruins and Trojans exemplified our shared passion for this city and mutual excitement for the events coming to Los Angeles.”
The U.S. Women’s Open begins on June 4, 2026, and the U.S. Men’s National Team opens against Paraguay on June 12, 2026.