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AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Report: Chess Tournament Sponsorship Request
1) Motion approving a $18,000 sponsorship for the California State Open Chess Tournament and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary agreements with the event organizers.
2) Resolution of Appropriation to appropriate $18,000 for a sponsorship for the California State Open Chess Tournament.
COUNCIL ACTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A $18,000 sponsorship request has been received for the 2026 California State Open Chess Tournament. If approved, this annual event would take place in the City of Glendale for the second year in a row. Held from September 4 to September 7, 2026, the tournament is expected to attract approximately 500 players and 1,200 spectators throughout the weekend. This event supports Glendale’s goal of promoting education, arts and culture, and community engagement. It also presents a timely opportunity to align with Glendale Tech Week and boost the local economy through tourism and media exposure.
Sponsorship will support venue costs, security, community outreach and advertising, and hospitality for players and volunteers.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council consider the request of a $18,000 sponsorship request for the 2026 Southern California State Open Chess Tournament, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary agreements with the event organizers.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City of Glendale, in partnership with the American Chess Academy, California Chess Federation, and dot818, will host the California State Open Chess Tournament from September 4 to September 7, 2026 at the Glendale Hilton hotel. Previously hosted in San Diego and Los Angeles, this is the second annual event being held in the Glendale.
This event builds upon the success of last year’s 2025 chess event, expanding the footprint Item Type: Action
Approved forMarch 24, 2026 calendar
2 of the event. This event positions Glendale in the Arts and Culture space, positioning the City as a destination for competitive chess, and welcoming families, students, and international visitors.
The tournament is expected to deliver community and economic benefits:
Educational & Cultural Enrichment: Chess is a symbol of strategic thinking and is strongly rooted in Glendale’s diverse communities.
Economic Impact: With hundreds of out-of-town participants, the event will generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending.
Positive Media Exposure: This event offers opportunities to showcase Glendale’s commitment to education, innovation, and youth development. Strategic Timing: The tournament leads directly into Glendale Tech Week, allowing for a coordinated message that positions Glendale as a center for critical thinking and innovation.
Event organizers have requested a $18,000 sponsorship from the City to support venue costs, security, community outreach and advertising, and hospitality for players and volunteers. For the 2025 event, City staff provided in-kind services at a value of $3,000, which included GTV coverage of the event, communications, and media relations services.
In addition to the financial sponsorship request for the 2026 event, the event organizers have requested the additional in-kind support and assistance for this year’s event as well.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sponsorship for the California State Open Chess Tournament will cost $18,000, which was not included in the FY 2025-26 adopted budget. The request for appropriation is outlined below.
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account
String)
To (Account String) Funding Source
$18,000 25300-1010-000 43112-1010-MSD-
6504-P0000
General Fund
Department Cost Center Program
Management
Services
City Manager
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1) Council may choose to not sponsor this event.
2) Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1) 2026 sponsorship request