Cantwell Bill Would Ensure US Host Cities Meet Unprecedented Transportation Needs of Fans Flocking to 2026 World Cup, 2028 & 2034 Olympics

07.25.24

Cantwell Bill Would Ensure US Host Cities Meet Unprecedented Transportation Needs of Fans Flocking to 2026 World Cup, 2028 & 2034 Olympics

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act. The bill would provide federal funding for local communities to prepare for unprecedented transportation demands and ensure the successful movement of fans, workers and goods during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2034 Winter Olympics that will all be held in the United States.

"As we prepare to cheer on Team USA in the Paris Olympics, Seattle is looking forward to hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world for the 2026 World Cup," said Sen. Cantwell. "Ensuring that fans get to and from games safely and efficiently will require coordinated transportation planning across the Pacific Northwest. This bill allows the Department of Transportation to get in the game and support host cities as they prepare, so the best of American innovation and hospitality is on display."

The United States, Canada and Mexico were selected to host the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, and 11 U.S. cities are preparing to host World Cup matches, including Seattle, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area. Transportation demands will increase greatly as host cities and surrounding communities are expecting hundreds of thousands of additional visitors from across the globe during the games. For example, Seattle is set to host six matches and estimates up to 750,000 people will visit the city over the 25-day event. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. This week, it was announced that Salt Lake City was selected to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The legislation would create a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide states, cities and tribes with funding for projects that improve transportation in the region during World Cup or Olympic games. Grants would support permanent transportation projects - building new roads, expanding light rail, purchasing new buses, creating bike lanes, improving existing roads or highways or making airport terminal improvements.

The Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act:

• Authorizes $50 million each fiscal year to provide states, cities and tribes with grant funding for projects that improve transportation in the region during World Cup or Olympic games, which could include acquiring buses, improving airports or building roads. The funding would be available starting five years before the event.
• Allows DOT to provide technical and planning assistance to host cities, states and tribes within 100 miles of a World Cup or Olympic event to help improve coordination and prepare regional transportation systems for the influx of fans.
• Allows DOT to facilitate sharing public transportation equipment, such as buses, between host cities and other cities, helping reduce costs while meeting transportation demand.
• Directs the Department of Commerce to study the economic impact hosting the World Cup and the Olympics has on travel and tourism in the United States.

"The USOPC is appreciative of the efforts of Senators Cantwell and Moran and strongly supports the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Host Cities Act of 2024. As the United States prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, this legislation is a crucial step to enhance infrastructure and plan for the success of these global events on American soil. By providing essential transportation assistance, we strengthen our host cities' capabilities and reaffirm our commitment to delivering world-class experiences that highlight the best of American hospitality and excellence." - The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

"We are excited for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup to take place in the United States. We appreciate Senators Cantwell and Moran for introducing legislation to provide the 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup matches, and the dozens more cities hosting team base camps, fan fests and other events and activities, with the resources they will need to welcome the hundreds of thousands of people that will travel here from around the world." - Cindy Parlow Cone, President, U.S. Soccer Federation.

"Bringing the FIFA World Cup to Washington State will be an event at a scale unlike anything we have seen since the 1962 World's Fair. It will bring jobs, tax revenue and commerce to our State. On behalf of Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, I want to thank Senator Cantwell for her leadership and collaboration with her Senate peers from across the country in introducing this transportation assistance legislation. There is no doubt an event like this will stretch our infrastructure, but it is leaders like Senator Cantwell that will do what is necessary to make sure we get the help needed and showcase Washington State to the world." - Peter Tomozawa, CEO, Seattle 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee.

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