California Builds on World Cup Success Ahead of 2028 Olympics
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Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted California’s role in hosting the FIFA World Cup, saying the tournament demonstrated the state’s ability to coordinate large-scale international events ahead of several major sporting competitions scheduled over the next few years.
California hosted 14 World Cup matches at venues in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, welcoming hundreds of thousands of fans while coordinating public safety, transportation, emergency management and cybersecurity efforts with local, state, federal and international partners.
In a statement, Newsom praised the collaboration among state agencies, local governments and event organizers, saying California successfully delivered a safe experience for visitors while preparing for future events, including Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The governor’s office reported approximately 560,000 spectators attended eight matches in Los Angeles, while more than 410,000 attended six matches in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tournament also served nearly 700,000 transit riders, included approximately 1,700 state public safety personnel deployments, provided a base for seven national teams, including the U.S. Men’s National Team, and recorded no major security incidents.
California estimates the tournament generated approximately $1.5 billion in statewide economic activity, although final economic impact estimates are still pending.
Planning began more than a year before the tournament and involved coordination among numerous agencies, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Transportation, California Transportation Agency, California National Guard, California Department of Public Health, California Public Utilities Commission and other state departments.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services activated the State Operations Center to coordinate emergency response efforts and to monitor cyber and physical security threats through the California Cybersecurity Integration Center and the State Threat Assessment Center.
Transportation operations included coordination with regional transit agencies, host cities and rideshare providers to manage fan travel. The California Highway Patrol deployed approximately 400 personnel for venue security, traffic management and public safety operations, while Caltrans assigned more than 800 personnel and hundreds of pieces of equipment to monitor highways, respond to incidents and provide traveler information.
Other state agencies supported business outreach, public health monitoring, alcohol enforcement, hazardous materials preparedness and consumer protection during the tournament.
More than 100,000 people attended the FIFA Fan Festival at Exposition Park in Los Angeles, which served as a test of the venue’s infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
The World Cup also provided opportunities to strengthen international partnerships through cultural and diplomatic events involving representatives from Canada and Mexico.
California is scheduled to host several additional major international sporting events in the coming years, including Super Bowl LXI and the X Games in 2027, followed by the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The events are expected to generate additional economic activity, support local businesses, and attract millions of visitors.
