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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of a Series of Community Screening Events/Activations Related to the 2026 World Cup; (2) Update on the City’s 2028 Olympics Planning Efforts; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: March 16, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Elaine Warner/ Economic Development/ City Manager’s Office
Adam Ferguson/ Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5777
(310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/12/2026)
Department Approval: Lisa Soghor, Assistant City Manager (03/10/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council (1) approve a series of community screening events/activations related to the World Cup 2026, (2) receive an update on City’s 2028 Olympics Planning efforts, and (3) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature matches in 11 cities in the United States, including eight matches in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium.
In anticipation of this event, the Ad Hoc World Cup and Olympics Subcommittee (Mayor Puza and Council member O’Brien) recommend a series of outdoor screening/activations to showcase the international soccer tournament, create community connections, highlight cultural assets and encourage visitation and tourism throughout the City.
DISCUSSION
The free community screening activations/events would occur in two local parks as well as in Downtown Culver City. Additionally, it is recommended that the Council consider sponsoring outdoor screenings at Ivy Station which will also be open to the public and adjacent to the Metro Station.
The schedule proposed would be as follows:
• June 12th - 6 PM at Veterans’ Memorial Park (USA vs. Paraguay)
• June 24th - 6 PM at Tellefson Park - (Mexico vs. TBD)
• June 25th - 7 PM at Ivy Station (USA vs. TBD) (City Sponsored)
• June 26th -8 PM at Ivy Station (NZ/Belgium) (City Sponsored)
• July 11th - 2 PM - Semi-Finals Veterans’ Memorial Park- Family Field Day
• July 19th - 6 PM - Finals -Town Plaza Downtown Culver City (City Sponsored in partnership with Downtown Business Association)
All the games would be projected on the City’s high-definition LED screen to ensure premium viewing and visibility during both day and evening matches.
Additional event elements are also recommended to enhance the fan zone experience and provide a safe, high-energy environment for families and fans alike. These elements could include local musicians/entertainment, soccer clinics/field day games, art/dance, food trucks/local offerings and a beer and wine garden (at Veteran’s Park).
Economic Development, Cultural Affairs and the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) would oversee implementation of the events. In addition, PRCS will partner with local youth soccer organizations as well as local/regional teams to host interactive activation zones as part of a Family Field Day. These themed zones could feature soccer drills, skills challenges, friendly competitions, and relay activities, that bring families and residents together in the spirit of the World Cup.
It is also recommended that the City Council consider including a beer and wine garden at the screening events in Veteran’s Park as well as activation of the Entertainment Zone in Downtown Culver City, assuming it is approved and effective at that time. If the City Council would like to proceed with a beer and wine garden, staff will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to invite local businesses to participate and bring it back to City Council for further discussion.
Additionally, a “live” mural wall/painting could be incorporated as a temporary art element during the first screening on June 12th and showcased at all other remaining events.
In regard to marketing, it is recommended that the City implement a limited banner program in Downtown and near Veterans’ Park as well as promote via existing social media channels. The community screenings would be listed on the official FIFA World Cup community screening schedule and featured in the summer edition of Culver City Living. Additionally, staff will work with Transportation to promote access to the City’s SoFi express service as well as highlight other bus schedules to support alternative transportation to the events.
Lastly, staff seeks direction on the name/marketing tags for the event given current FIFA World Cup naming restrictions. Options could include:
• Kick it with Culver City
• Lights. Camera. Goal! Culver City
• Culver City: Where Soccer Takes Center Stage
• Kick it in the Heart of the Screenland
Special Screening with Paraguay
In February 2026, the Consulate General of the Republic of Paraguay met with the Subcommittee to discuss the official Paraguay’s team visit to Culver City prior to the match with the United States on June 12th. As part of that conversation, the Subcommittee offered that the City could help facilitate a regional screening of their recent documentary highlighting their players journeys as well as a potential “meet and greet” to bring further awareness of the team and sport.
It is proposed that the screening be considered City Sponsored relative to in-kind marketing efforts and be included in the slate of activations for Culver City’s celebration of the World Cup prior to the opening match of the United States vs. Paraguay.
Update on Olympics Planning
Staff is currently progressing the City Council’s direction relative to the of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Zealand and is exploring the potential use and agreement terms with the Afro Village Consortium at Media Park. Staff will also be working with the Cultural Arts Foundation via a separate MOU to launch a City-wide sponsorship program for the 2028 Olympics to support funding and planning efforts.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
It is anticipated that the proposed screenings/activations will cost approximately $28,000. As the event occurs both at the end of one fiscal year and the beginning of another, staff proposes that a portion of the funding be dedicated in the current fiscal year, with the remaining costs to be allocated Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The breakdown would be as follows:
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 - $14,500
• Music - $2,000
• Temporary “Live Mural” Wall - $1,200 (from the Cultural Trust)
• Craft/Art Activity - $1,000
• Public Safety - $6,000
• City Sponsorship $1,500 (in-kind and permit waivers)
• Banners $4,000
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 - $13,500
• Music/Sound System - $4,500
• Public Safety/Entertainment Zone Activation - $8,500
• Craft/Art Activity - $1,000
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes sufficient funding for the June portion of the program in Account No.10110500.619800 (Economic Development Division - Other Contractual Services) which can be found on page 192 of the budget book. The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 also includes $1,200 for the creation of a live temporary mural wall in CIP Project No. 4138000.730100.PZ676 (Temporary Art Displays and Exhibits) which can be found in the CIP Section of the budget book under the Cultural Trust Fund (Fund 413) on page 589. Funding for the screenings/events in July would be included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
City Sponsorship for the Ivy Station would consist of in-kind fees for the two screening events valued at approximately $1,750. This in-kind cost is covered by existing staff time.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve a series community screening events/activations related to the World Cup 2026, to include City sponsorship for related events in association with the Ivy Station and the Republic of Paraguay;
2. Approve the issuance of an RFP relative to a Beer and Wine Garden at the Veterans’ Memorial Park Activations on June 12th and July 11th; and,
3. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.