Santa Clara officials are paving the way for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finalizing responsibilities.
The City Council approved various agreements with the Bay Area Host Committee and the 49ers’ stadium management branch, ManCo, Tuesday in a 5-2 vote, with Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kelly Cox voting no. The agreement details operational and financial responsibilities for the six World Cup matches scheduled at Levi’s Stadium next year.
The Bay Area Host Committee agreed to shoulder nearly all costs related to the World Cup event, including an estimated $25 million to modify the field to meet FIFA regulations. City Attorney Glen Googins said the agreements will ensure any city expenses are reimbursed by the host committee. If the committee is unable to reimburse the city, the 49ers agreed to pay for the reimbursements.
City officials have been negotiating the agreements for more than a year in an effort to protect Santa Clara from spending on stadium upgrades. Measure J, which authorized the construction of Levi’s Stadium, bars the city from spending general fund money on the facility.
Googins and Mohammad Walizadeh, an attorney with Hanson Bridgett hired to help the city adhere to Measure J, assured councilmembers this agreement would protect the general fund.
“Ultimately, city funds are not being advanced,” Walizadeh said at the meeting. “City funds are being paid for costs that are going to be reimbursed, just like we do for any other services at the stadium.”
Gillmor disagreed with Googins and Walizadeh, claiming the agreement may violate Measure J.
“I think the current contract potentially violates Measure J and does not sufficiently protect the city’s fund and the taxpayers from financial exposure,” Gillmor said at the meeting. “If we don’t amend that, the city risks legal challenges and violations of the voter approved measure.”
The host committee will reimburse the city for any equipment bought specifically for the World Cup, as well as security costs, which city employees estimated to be $11.4 million.
Field construction began Wednesday, with a narrow window to finish before a Metallica concert in June.
Santa Clara, along with other South Bay governments, have ramped up preparations for the FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl 60, which will also be hosted at Levi’s Stadium in 2026. About 30 representatives from the Bay Area Host Committee and multiple city governments, including Santa Clara, were in New Orleans on Feb. 6 and 7 to watch how the city handled Super Bowl operations.
Jihad Beauchman, general counsel and executive vice president of the 49ers, said the agreements are “unparalleled” compared to deals negotiated by other World Cup host cities and reflect the collaboration between host committee and city employees. Not all cities have finalized their World Cup plans, but some are already prepared to shell out millions of dollars on infrastructure and stadium repairs.
“Santa Clara is hosting the world’s largest event, which will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region, drive tourism dollars for local businesses, create jobs and foster a cultural moment that residents will remember for generations — all while protecting city finances,” Beauchman told San José Spotlight.
Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X.
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