CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Federation Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) 2026 World Cup; authorizing an agreement between The City of Seattle and the Seattle International Soccer Hosting Local Organizing Committee.
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WHEREAS, Seattle is known for its passionate participation in and support of soccer, with a soccer fan base that has attracted large, enthusiastic crowds for professional matches since 1976, including when the Seattle Sounders broke Major League Soccer attendance records and merchandise sales in their first season in 2009 and when the OL Reign set a National Women’s Soccer League single-game attendance record in 2021; and
WHEREAS, more than 125,000 young people actively compete in soccer matches every year around Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup will provide Seattle with a unique opportunity to inspire new generations of soccer enthusiasts, while promoting Seattle’s commitment to recreation, sports, health, human rights, equality, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the United States received an estimated $4 billion in economic benefits from hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and soccer fans bring significant additional revenue to World Cup host cities’ hotels, restaurants, shops, and tax coffers; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council share a common goal of promoting Seattle’s stature, diversity, and economic vitality, which will be enhanced by being a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted and the Mayor signed Resolution 31791 supporting The City of Seattle’s pursuit to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, as a condition of the bid process, FIFA required all potential host cities to enter into a Host City Agreement and related amendments; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle entered a Host City Agreement with FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation, Inc. (USSF), in 2018 (subsequently amended in 2022); and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle was one of 32 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada being considered by the FIFA United Bid Committee as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, FIFA announced on June 16, 2022, that Seattle will be one of 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, FIFA requires establishment of a dedicated host committee to exercise certain rights and jointly perform the obligations of the Host City Agreement with the City, and specifically to serve as the primary organizer of the FIFA World Cup events and matches; and
WHEREAS, FIFA approved the Seattle International Soccer Hosting Local Organizing Committee (LOC) as Seattle’s dedicated host committee; and
WHEREAS, the LOC will bring local leaders from government, community development associations, hospitality, industry, international companies, global marketing campaigns, unions, and professional sports franchises together to ensure Seattle maximizes the cultural, social, and economic benefits of being a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city, while promoting FIFA’s goals of corporate and social responsibility and environmental awareness; and
WHEREAS, in February 2023, FIFA, the City, and the LOC executed a Joinder Agreement making the LOC a party to, and jointly and severally liable with the City, under the Host City Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City and LOC now wish to enter into an agreement delineating which responsibilities and obligations in the Host City Agreement will be fulfilled by the City and which will be fulfilled by the LOC, so there is coordinated and successful execution of World Cup planning activities; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Mayor is authorized on behalf of The City of Seattle to execute a contractual agreement with the Seattle International Soccer Hosting Local Organizing Committee (LOC), delineating which responsibilities and obligations in the Host City Agreement (as amended) will be fulfilled by the City and which will be fulfilled by the LOC, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2023, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2023.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2023.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2023.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments: Exhibit A: Mutual Support and Collaboration Agreement