REPORT TO STADIUM AUTHORITY BOARD
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report on Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup 2026 Updates
Report
BOARD PILLARS
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
Ensure Compliance with Measure J and Manage Levi’s Stadium
BACKGROUND
In 2026, Levi’s Stadium will host Super Bowl LX ion February 8, 2026 and six FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) matches between June 13 - July 1, 2026. The events are collectively referred to as 2026 Major Events in the report.
With the goal of promoting engagement and awareness for the Santa Clara community, this informational report provides an update on the City and Stadium Authority’s pre-planning efforts for Super Bowl LX and FWC26.
FWC26 Overview
The FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup are international soccer competitions between the national teams of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's international governing body. The World Cup is held every four years and is the most prestigious association soccer tournament in the world, as well as the most widely viewed and followed single sporting event in the world.
On June 16, 2022, FIFA announced the 16 regions that will host matches for World Cup 2026 across Canada (2 locations), Mexico (3 locations), and the United States (11 locations). The World Cup 2026 Host Cities are:
• Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
• Boston (Gillette Stadium)
• Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
• Guadalajara, Mexico (Estadio Akron)
• Houston (NRG Stadium)
• Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
• Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca)
• Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
• Monterrey, Mexico (Estadio BBVA)
• New York / New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
• Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
• San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
• Seattle (Lumen Field)
• Toronto, Canada (BMO Field)
• Vancouver, Canada (BC Place)
On February 4, 2024, FIFA announced the match schedule for FWC26. Levi’s Stadium will host matches on June 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25 and July 1, 2026. The June matches are “group” matches and the July 1 match is considered a “knockout” match which represents a round of 32 teams.
On May 23, 2023, the City Council and Stadium Authority Board adopted the following Guiding Principles for FIFA World Cup 2026 Events:
1. Professionally oversee FIFA World Cup 2026 events in a manner that positively highlights the City of Santa Clara and celebrates the rich diversity of Santa Clara’s neighborhoods.
2. Attain reimbursement of all event costs, including public safety (pre- and post-event costs).
3. Ensure direct benefits to the Santa Clara community and Santa Clara businesses.
4. Plan and provide for communication and engagement with residential neighborhoods adjacent to Levi’s Stadium and other venues that will be utilized for large events.
5. Ensure specific benefits to and involvement of Santa Clara youth and adult soccer programs.
6. Seek revenue generating utilization of the Santa Clara Convention Center and other event and recreation spaces (including college and school facilities) in the City of Santa Clara without any impact to the General Fund.
7. Seek mitigation of City and Stadium Authority financial risks and liabilities.
8. Engage in transparent communication on pre-planning efforts, with periodic progress reports to the City Council, including reports published on the City’s website to promote engagement and awareness for residential neighborhoods adjacent to the Stadium and the City as a whole.
9. Pledge that the Santa Clara City Council, Stadium Authority Board, and City staff will follow the law, act ethically and transparently with the expectation that other parties do the same.
Super Bowl LX Overview
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It serves as the final game of every NFL season and is generally played on the second Sunday in February. On May 22, 2023, the NFL announced that Super Bowl LX will be played at Levi's Stadium.
The City Council and Stadium Authority Board may want to consider adopting guiding principles for Super Bowl LX, similar to those adopted for FWC26. The proposed Super Bowl LX Guiding Principles are as follows:
1. Professionally oversee the Super Bowl LX in a manner that positively highlights the City of Santa Clara and celebrates the rich diversity of Santa Clara’s neighborhoods.
2. Attain reimbursement of all event costs, including public safety (pre- and post-event costs).
3. Ensure direct benefits to the Santa Clara community and Santa Clara businesses.
4. Plan and provide for communication and engagement with residential neighborhoods adjacent to Levi’s Stadium and other venues that will be utilized for large events.
5. Ensure specific benefits to and involvement of Santa Clara youth and adult football programs.
6. Seek revenue generating utilization of the Santa Clara Convention Center and other event and recreation spaces (including college and school facilities) in the City of Santa Clara without any impact to the General Fund.
7. Seek mitigation of City and Stadium Authority financial risks and liabilities.
8. Engage in transparent communication on pre-planning efforts, with periodic progress reports to the City Council, including reports published on the City’s website to promote engagement and awareness for residential neighborhoods adjacent to the Stadium and the City as a whole.
9. Pledge that the Santa Clara City Council, Stadium Authority Board, and City staff will follow the law, act ethically and transparently with the expectation that other parties do the same.
DISCUSSION
Staff and the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) will provide a presentations on the topics outlined below (Attachment 1).
2026 Major Events Key Stakeholders
Staff’s presentation will provide information on the stakeholder structure, roles of key stakeholders, and their responsibilities and relationship with the City and Stadium Authority for the 2026 Major Events. Key stakeholders include the following:
• Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC)
• NFL
• FIFA
• Stadium Authority
• City of Santa Clara
• Forty Niners SC Stadium Company, LLC (StadCo)
• Forty Niners Stadium Manager Company LLC (Stadium Manager)
• Regional, state, and federal government partners
Bay Area Host Committee
BAHC’s presentation will provide an overview of the following:
• Organization
• Board of Directors
• Team
• Major events
• Organizational objectives
Recent and Current City and Stadium Authority Work Efforts
Staff’s presentation will include updates on recent and current City and Stadium Authority work efforts related to:
• Acquisition of key FWC26 documents
• Negotiations for assignment and assumption of FWC26 responsibilities and costs
• City infrastructure and resources
• Stadium capital project oversight
• Information Obtained from Participation in Programs at this Year’s Super Bowl (Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas)participation
• Conferences and meetings with key stakeholders
• Acquisition of key FWC26 documents
• Negotiations for assignment and assumption of FWC26
Planned and Anticipated City and Stadium Authority Work Efforts
Staff’s presentation will also describe planned and anticipated City and Stadium Authority work efforts related to:
• Emergency management planning
• Public safety planning
• Negotiation and execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement FWC26 and other relevant agreements required for SBLX
• Negotiation and execution of a Governmental Services AgreementLeague Event Agreement and other relevant agreements required for SBLX
• Community partnerships and outreach
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated between the Executive Director and Stadium Authority Counsel’s Offices.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve the proposed Super Bowl LX Guiding Principles; and,
2. Note and file the informational report on FIFA World Cup 2026 and Super Bowl LX updates.
Staff
Reviewed by: Chuck Baker, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, Executive Director
ATTACHMENTS
1. City and Stadium Authority Presentation on SBLX and FWC26 Updates
2. Bay Area Host Committee Presentation