A bill has been introduced in the House to provide transportation infrastructure funding for cities hosting international sporting events, leading up to the World Cup in 2026 and Olympics in 2028, both of which will take place in cities across the United States. So far, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and received support from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

 

The stated purpose of the "Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025" (H.R. 6348) is to financially support states, tribes, and municipalities with their efforts related to not temporary transportation infrastructure necessary to host an international sporting event. Those eligible to receive this assistance include state or local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, intercity passenger rail service operation, or airports within a 100-mile radius of where the event will be held.

According to the bill, funds will be distributed equally among qualifying metropolitan planning organizations hosting an event, up to $10,000,000 per group per event. This is to ensure equal treatment among the hosts and to create a predictable funding sequence for future events.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for example, 11 U.S. cities would be eligible for the program, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. For the 2028 Olympics, qualifying cities would span Los Angeles and Orange counties and a select few others.