TITLE:
title
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 - POTENTIAL USE OF JACK HAMMETT SPORTS COMPLEX
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, (714) 754-5343
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff requests City Council direction on:
1. Use of Jack Hammett Sports Complex as a Team Base Camp for a national soccer team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute necessary agreements in accordance with City Council direction.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa was contacted by the Orange County Sports Commission (OCSC) soliciting interest in accommodating a national team that will be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament that will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to OSCS, “A Team Base Camp (TBC) means the headquarters of a Team during the competition period of the FIFA World Cup, which combines a dedicated training site with suitable accommodation facilities/hotel.”
For the City of Costa Mesa, OCSC is looking for a partnership between the City, Travel Costa Mesa, and Orange Coast College (OCC). Jack Hammett Sports Complex is proposed for the lighted field facility (2 pitches side-by-side), while OCC would provide support facilities such as dressing rooms, a media center and an exercise room. Travel Costa Mesa will provide the necessary connection to area hotels and other amenities.
ANALYSIS:
The following are requirements for the “field of play” for the Jack Hammett Sports Complex:
• Lighted grass-playing surface, high quality, meeting professional sports standards
• No markings from other sports
• Panel advertising system
• No use for at least 28 days prior to first use as a TBC
• Spectator stands for 500 persons
In addition, OCSC provided a training site template to determine potential rental fees for the use of the facility. This included other items such as training site management, facility management, and safety and security fees. These include providing a visitor experience to spectators; electrical, mechanical, and IT services; waste hauling; pitch maintenance and security. According to OCSC, the City would be responsible for hosting the team as well as managing the spectator experience.
The City submitted the attached preliminary and non-binding “Rental Fee” draft estimate based on our initial understanding of OCSC’s request. This estimate is only for Jack Hammett’s portion and OCC is providing their own rental fee estimate.
If the City Council authorizes the City’s participation in the TBC and is accepted by FIFA, the City anticipates implementing major renovation of Fields 1 and 2 in the summer 2025 presumably funded by the rental fee approved by the FIFA World Cup association. This would include grading, leveling and installation of new sod to meet professional sports requirements. The fields would then be refurbished prior to use for a TBC. The existing youth sports group would most likely not have access to the fields starting in April 2026 to allow for site preparation prior to use as a TBC in June 2026.
In order to provide a “fan experience” to potential spectators, the City would need to contract with outside vendors. The preliminary draft costs for this, as well as for maintenance and security are included in the estimated rental fee.
Staff requests City Council direction for continuing negotiations with OCSC and FIFA for the potential use of Jack Hammett Sports Complex as a TBC, and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute agreements with the organizations in accordance with City Council direction. As the event is three years away, Staff anticipates it can generally accommodate this potential project, especially given the City’s experience in hosting a professional National Football League’s annual Training Camp for the past seven years, and the relocation of the Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp from Jack Hammett to their own newly built private facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This item is administrative in nature.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may choose to not participate in the discussions regarding the potential use of Jack Hammett Sports Complex as a TBC for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. If this option is recommended, staff will cease discussions with OCSC authorities.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Based on a limited understanding of the needs and expectations of a TBC, staff developed the preliminary draft rental estimate that is attached that would provide funding to the City from FIFA for the use of the field and associated costs.
According to OCSC, FIFA will be responsible for all the costs. There would be a need for a use and funding agreement, through which staff hopes that all City costs including direct and staff expenditures are reimbursed.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and approves it as to form. The City Attorney’s office will be reviewing and approving any future agreements related to this item.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item is administrative in nature.
CONCLUSION:
Staff requests City Council direction on:
1. Use of Jack Hammett Sports Complex as a Team Base Camp for a national soccer team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute necessary agreements in accordance with City Council direction.