2026
Major Events Status Report
Community and Economic Development Committee
June 16, 2025
Item d(2)
Tommy O’Hare
2026 Sports and Special Events Director
City Manager’s Office
1 • City Manager’s Office, 2026 Sports & Special Events Director
• City Manager’s Office of Economic Development &
Cultural Affairs
• Office Emergency Management
• Police
• Fire
• Airport
• Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement
• Public Works
• Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
• Transportation
• Housing
• City Attorney’s Office
• Bay Area Host Committee
• San José Sports Authority
• San José Sharks
• San José Earthquakes
• San José State University
• San José Chamber of Commerce
• San José Downtown Association
• SAP Center
• SV Creates
• Team San José
• Urban Vibrancy Institute
City Staff Team 2026 Partners Coordination Group
2 2
SJ26 Strategic Plan
Three Objectives measured by
Key Results:
Build strong civic pride
Maximize Local Economic Impact,
While Creating Lasting Community
Value
Position the City as a premier
destination for large-scale national
and international events
Work Streams:
1. Branding
2. Marketing
3. Sponsorship
4. Event/Programming
5. Policy Work
6. Public Rights-of-Way
Managemetn
7. Public Safety/Emergency
Operations
3 3
SJ26
CELEBRATING, GROWING, & INVESTING
BUILDING CIVIC GROWING
SAN JOSE’S
ECONOMY PRIDE
ESTABLISHING
TH E DOWNTOWN
SILICON VALLEY
4 4
• Major Block Party Style
Events w/Watch Parties
and Concerts
• Digital Wayfinding
Solutions
• Super Graphics
• Fly, Stay, Play Campaign
• Outreach Programs
• SJ26 Sponsorship
Program
Big Rocks: Drives Awareness
Users, Revenue
Layering In
San José
Culture &
Technology
5 20 26 Wes t
NCAA WEST REGIONAL
SAN JOSE’S HISTORIC 2026
1st time Super Bowl and World Cup, Hosted in the same location • Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight
(3 games total) at SAP Center
• NCAA HQ, Media, Officials and
Teams all staying in San José
• Youth Basketball Tournament
at the San José Convention
Center
• Hosting Opening Media Day
at SAP Center in San José
• NFC or AFC Team Staying at
the Downtown San José
Marriott
• NFC or AFC Team to practice
at San José State
2026 SUPER BOWL FIFA WORLD CUP
• FIFA HQ - San José Signia
• Team Hotels - San José
Marriott & San José
Hilton
• Team Practice Venue at
PayPal Park or San José
State
SJ26
6 6
WE’RE GOING BIG
13 Concerts with National Headliners
(Recent Concerts: Fischer & Steve Aoki)
• Super Bowl
• NCAA March Madness
7 • FIFA World Cup
7 107 WATCH PARTIES
In the heart of San Pedro Square
• Super Bowl Sunday
• FIFA: Every World Cup Match
• NCAA: All Regional Games
9 9
10 • Elizabeth Turk Projects’ Invisible Skies – City
Hall Plaza, January 31, 2026
• WeCreate408 curated to emphasize
creativity and sports
• Make Music Day – June 21, 2026 • CityDance – genres curated based on FIFA competing teams
• Sonic Runway – performances with music
genres and themes curated to participating
teams
• Temporary Public Art and Projection
Mapping
• City Hall Exhibit featuring sports-themed
artwork by local artists – January thru July
2026 Art In
stallationsandActivations
11 11
Arts and Culture Marketing Opportunities
Calendar for events and programming
•www.sanjose.org/industry
•Will be used to pitch to media and
promoted on social
media/communications
Arts grants for “The Art of Play” coop
marketing buys via Visit San Jose
•$10-15K grants to 10-15 events/orgs
•Will provide data analytics
•Guidelines under development, summer
release
•Will include a grant workshop
12 12
Policy Work to Facilitate 2026 Major Events
13 Super Graphics
Ordinance
• Approved by Council
May 20, 2025
• Sponsorship program
for City-owned
properties
Major Events
Zone Ordinance
• June 17, 2025, Council
item
Entertainment Zone
Ordinance
• Approved by Council May
20, 2025; effective July
• Zone locations: Alum Rock
Avenue, Fountain Alley,
Paseo de San Antonio, Post
Street, St. John Street (soon
to be designated “Little Italy
Way” and “Sharks Way”),
San Pedro Street, and SoFA
133
14 14
20 26 Wes t
2026 LINEUP
Feb Mar May Jun - Jul Jul Oct Nov
15 2026
Major Events Status Report
Community and Economic Development Committee
June 16, 2025
Item d(2)
Tommy O’Hare
2026 Sports and Special Events Director
City Manager’s Office
16