Senator Laura Richardson Chosen To Help Prepare California for 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics
SACRAMENTO, California – (May 12, 2025) – Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) has announced the creation of a special committee on International Sporting Events and has appointed Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay) as a member of the bipartisan committee.
Senator Richardson joins 10 other senators tasked with ensuring California’s preparedness to host two of the world’s most prestigious sporting events: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. These events are expected to bring unparalleled economic and cultural opportunities to the state.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across North America, is projected to attract over 5 million international visitors, with California’s Bay Area and Los Angeles serving as key venues. The tournament is anticipated to generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in economic activity across the host nations, with hundreds of millions expected to flow into California.
Meanwhile, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is set to welcome over 700,000 daily spectators, and is projected to create nearly 80,000 new full-time jobs. The Games are expected to drive an $11 billion economic impact, redefining the city’s hospitality, dining, and retail industries.
“Having the proper infrastructure to accommodate both international visitors and the residents living in and around the sporting locations is crucial,” said Senator Richardson. “There is a great deal of planning, preparing, building, and implementing to do before we can properly serve as the world’s host.”
As the only legislator to have served as a city councilmember, state assemblymember, and Member of Congress, Senator Richardson brings a wealth of experience to the committee. She has previously served on committees addressing transportation issues, public safety matters, and infrastructure upgrades—key areas of focus for these events.
“The opportunities for this state with these two massive worldwide events are endless. It’s such an honor for the Golden State to be hosting the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. That said, stakes are high, and we must be prepared. The committee is poised to help meet the demands and expectations advanced by these events and to ensure their success,” said Senate Leader McGuire. “This new Senate committee will help ensure the Golden State will be ready to go, the welcome mat is rolled out, and the experience is world-class.”
The Senate Special Committee will hold a series of hearings in the coming months to address critical areas of need.
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