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 suc...
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