Owens Leads Push to Support Olympic & World Cup Host City Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, joined Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02) to introduce the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act, a bipartisan bill creating a reliable $50 million annual authorization to help U.S. host cities prepare their transportation systems for major global sporting events. 

“As the host of the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Utah knows how to welcome the world, and we’re gearing up to do it again in 2034,” said Rep. Owens. “I’m proud to be Utah’s top advocate on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and to co-lead this effort to give host cities across America the dependable federal partner they need while preparing to host major international sporting events like the Olympics and World Cup. This support strengthens transportation planning, boosts local collaboration, and ensures the United States is ready to shine on the global stage.” 

“USMNT’s success on the field is inevitable, and this bipartisan bill makes sure the United States succeeds off the field, too,” said Ranking Member Larsen. “The World Cup needs world-class infrastructure to ensure teams and their fans can safely travel to and from every game. That’s why we’re unlocking millions of dollars in funding for host cities—like Seattle in my home state—to improve their transportation infrastructure before the opening whistle.”

The House bill closely tracks the Senate companion introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). 

Background: 

As the host of the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Utah’s transportation agencies are already preparing. This legislation gives Utah the ability to plan early, coordinate statewide, and build on the world-class mobility delivered during the 2002 Games.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing 78 matches to 11 U.S. cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the Bay Area. More than 2.7 billion people watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup worldwide.

This Friday, December 5, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host the FIFA 2026 World Cup Final Draw in Washington, D.C.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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