Report to City Council
ID: 26-0114 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kyle Warsinski, Economic Development Director
AGENDA DATE: April 7, 2026
TITLE: REVIEW AND CONSIDER FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
SPECIAL EVENTS (REPORT OF: ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT) (DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Consideration Of Special Event Watch Parties For The FIFA World Cup 2026
DISTRICT: All Districts
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize a budget adjustment for funding of up to $100,000 to the Parks and Community Services Department to plan for and operate an outdoor watch party for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal games scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026; or
2. Approve and authorize a budget adjustment for funding of up to $8,000 to the Parks and Community Services Department to plan for and operate an indoor watch party for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal games scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026; or
3. Provide direction to staff to execute a FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Event based on a motion, second, and vote of Council to do so.
SUMMARY
This report presents two special event options for City Council consideration related to a 2026 FIFA World Cup Watch Party on either Saturday, July 11, 2026, or Sunday, July 19, 2026.
ID: 26-0114 Page 2
DISCUSSION
Background:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across several cities in North America, including two venues within California, Los Angeles and Santa Clara. While Moreno Valley is not a host city, the event's regional scale presents opportunities for non-host cities to engage residents, support local businesses, and participate in World Cup –related activities through community-oriented programming.
Since summer 2025, the Economic Development Department has been exploring opportunities to participate in the World Cup to maximize economic, cultural, and community benefits in accordance with the Economic Development Strategic Plan. Staff have been actively engaged with representatives from FIFA, U.S. Soccer, and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission to exp lore opportunities for community involvement.
Official Fan Zones are limited to venues in Los Angeles County. FIFA is encouraging cities in Southern California to host community-led events that celebrate or showcase the tournament.
Community-Based Engagement Opportunities
Economic Development has begun connecting with our local restaurants, bars, and other public gathering businesses to encourage each to host its own FIFA World Cup 2026 watch party. Many have shared their excitement about the World Cup and their plans for watch parties and special offers during the tournament. Staff will continue to connect with our businesses in Moreno Valley to encourage participation in this global sporting event.
Economic Development plans to implement a marketing campaign for these events and specials as we near the start of the World Cup. Economic Development will start marketing to these events as we approach the start of the worldwide event in accordance with the many goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The marketing campaign will capitalize on the excitement and momentum generated by being a host country for the World Cup and on the overall support for soccer throughout Southern California. The goal is to take advantage of this window of opportunity to promote Moreno Valley businesses and increase their exposure to new customers and overall patronage.
City-Sponsored Watch Parties
On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Economic Development Subcommittee received a presentation on potential City -sponsored w atch party options. The subcommittee considered two potential weekend match dates and two potential venues which are discussed below.
Saturday, July 11th - Two Quarterfinal matches, at 2 pm and at 6 pm. Sunday, July 19th - Final match, at 12:00 PM (noon).
ID: 26-0114 Page 3
It should be noted that there are two churches with existing rental reservations on Sunday, there is insufficient interior space and parking to accommodate the special event.
Additionally, as these matches are in the elimination stage of the tournament, t he teams playing in each match are yet to be determined.
Below is a summary of the two potential locations, should the city decide to move forward with this event:
1. Outdoor Event
Location: Amphitheater and lower Parking Lot
Attendance: ~3,000
Vendors: Food, Beer Garden, and special vendors
Estimated Cost: $100,000
Limitations: Subject to inclement weather (heat or rain)
2. Indoor Event
Location: Community Recreation Center Ballroom
Attendance: ~400 for each match (Pre-registration will be required) Vendors: Food and Beer Garden in the courtyard
Estimated Cost: $8,000
Limitations: Food or drink is not permitted inside the ballroom due to the seating configuration.
On Wednesday March 25, 2026, Parks and Community Services Subcommittee held a Special Meeting, and the members recommended the City Council not move forward with either option as presented.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve and authorize up to $100,000 for the establishment of a new one -time special event watch party in the amphitheater for both 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinal Matches to be played on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
2. Approve an d authorize up to $8,000 for the establishment of a new one -time special event watch party in the Community Recreation Center (CRC) for both 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarte rfinal Matches to be played on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
3. Do not approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of Recommendation No. 1 to host the outdoor event at the Amphitheater would result in a total cost of $100,000 per day. Approval of the Recommendation No. 2 to host the indoor event at the CRC Ballroom would result in a total cost of $8,000 per day. Should the City Council approve either recommendation, the Parks and Community Services Department will need to identify and secure an appropriate funding source to support the
ID: 26-0114 Page 4
event. If funding is identified, a budget adjustment will be processed to allocate the funds necessary to prepare and operate the special event.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Kyle Warsinski Kyle Warsinski
Economic Development Director Economic Development Director
Concurred By:
Jeremy Bubnick
Parks and Community Services Director
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Community Image, Neighborhood Pride and Cleanliness: Promote a sense of community pride and foster an excellent image about our City by developing and executing programs which will result in quality de velopment, enhanced neighborhood preservation efforts, including home rehabilitation and neighborhood restoration.
Positive Environment: Create a positive environment for the development of Moreno Valley's future.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
ID: 26-0114 Page 5
Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_EDD_FIFA WORLD CUP EVENTS__.docx Attachments:
Final Approval Date: Apr 1, 2026
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Sean Kelleher
Natalia Medina
Felicia London, MPA
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez