2026
Major Events Status Report
City Council
August 26, 2026
Item 8.1
Rosalynn Hughey, Deputy City Manager
Tommy O’Hare, 2026 Sports and Special Events Director, City Manager’s Office Kerry Adams-Hapner, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, OEDCA John Poch, Executive Director, San José Sports Authority 1 2
SJ26 City Staff Team
•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
3 SJ26 Partners Coordination Group
• 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
SJ26 Strategic Plan
Three Objectives:
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
Management
7. Public Safety/Emergency
Operations
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 2026 W est
NCAA WEST REGIONAL
SANJOSE’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
• Potentially hosting Opening
Media Day
• 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
6 WE’RE GOING BIG
13 Concerts with National Headliners
(Recent Concerts: Fischer & Steve Aoki)
• Super Bowl: Santa Clara St. in front of City Hall
• Feb 6, 7, 8
• NCAA March Madness: Sharks Way (San Pedro
Square to SAP Center)
• Mar 26, 27, and 28
• FIFA World Cup: Throughout San Jose
• Jun 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, Jul 1
7 13 AFTER-DARK
SPECTACLES
Super Bowl 60: Feb 6, 7, 8
NCAA March Madness: Mar 26, 27, and 28
FIFA World Cup: Jun 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, Jul 1
Blending Sports with San José Culture,
Featuring Sponsor Brands
100+ WATCH PARTIES
• Super Bowl Sunday: Santa Clara St. in front of City Hall • NCAA: All Regional Games: Sharks Way (San Pedro Square to SAP Center)
• FIFA: Every World Cup Match: Throughout San José
Creating Community within Our Diverse City
Neighborhood Activation Opportunities
10 • Partnership with Community Strong Strategies
and Director’s Alliance San José – 12
neighborhood business districts across the City
Block Parties
Soccer Clinics
Concerts/Performances
Local Food Vendors
Community Booth
Family Activities
• Mexican Heritage Plaza
• Viva Parks Events
• SJ26 Game Changers
Branding & Marketing
11 • Brand Design – launch this week
• “Fly, Stay, and Play” Campaign
• Microsite – what to do, where to
go, where to eat, etc. Interactive
calendar allows users to
personalize their SJ26 experience
In partnership with Team San Jose, Sports
Authority, Airport and other City staff:
A rt Installations and A ctivations
12 • City Hall Exhibit featuring sports-themed
artwork by local artists – January thru July
2026
• 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 – partnership with SJSU
Arts and Culture Marketing Opportunities
13 Calendar for events and programming
• www.sanjose.org/industry
• Will be used to pitch to media and
promoted on social
media/communications
The Arts Will Play in 2026 Cooperative
Marketing Campaign via Visit San José
• 10 to 15 local organizations will receive
a promotional campaign with an
estimated worth of $10,000 to $15,000
• Application closes August 29
SJ HOUSE
Intersection of Innovation
and Culture
• Hosted at Blanco Urban
Venue
• Premium Hospitality In
Downtown San José
• Exclusive Space for
Entertainment & Meetings
• Premium Food & Beverage
• Sponsored Product Features
14 12
12 12
12 2026
Major Events Status Report
City Council
August 26, 2026
Item 8.1
Rosalynn Hughey, Deputy City Manager
Tommy O’Hare, 2026 Sports and Special Events Director, City Manager’s Office Kerry Adams-Hapner, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, OEDCA John Poch, Executive Director, San José Sports Authority 19