Transportation Assistance for Host Cities

Full Title:
Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill adds a new section to Title 49 of the U.S. Code to provide transportation help for cities and regions that host certain international sporting events held in the United States. "Covered events" include the Olympic Games, Paralympics, Special Olympics, and FIFA Men's and Women's World Cup events held at U.S. sites. The bill lets eligible entities (states, Indian Tribes, local governments, port or transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, certain grant-eligible entities, and nonprofit event organizations) receive assistance.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will allocate grant funds to host metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Each host MPO may receive up to $10,000,000 per covered event. Funds must be used for transportation projects or planning activities within 100 miles of the event site and may not be for temporary event-only infrastructure, as decided by the host MPO. DOT may reimburse eligible pre-event activities and will reallocate unspent funds one year after an event ends. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 per fiscal year for these grants.

The bill also directs the Department of Commerce to study the effects of hosting the 2028 Olympics (Los Angeles) and the 2026 World Cup on the U.S. travel and tourism industry. Those studies must examine changes in international and domestic travel frequency, business revenues in the travel and tourism industry, and employment rates in that industry. Each study must begin within 90 days of enactment (subject to available appropriations) and produce a report within 180 days after the event ends. The Commerce Department must provide the report to specified congressional committees and post it on its website.

What it means for you#

  • Local and regional transportation agencies and planning organizations near an Olympic or World Cup site can access federal grant money and DOT planning help.
  • Projects must be within 100 miles of the event and should be long-term transportation improvements, not temporary facilities built only for the event.
  • A host metropolitan planning organization can receive up to $10 million for a single covered event; DOT distributes funds among eligible host MPOs.
  • DOT will offer planning support, technical assistance, help coordinating shared bus resources, and expedited review for submissions related to a covered event.
  • The Commerce Department will study and report how these large events affect travel, tourism business revenues, and employment after the events conclude.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $50,000,000 per fiscal year to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out the grant program; those funds remain available until expended.
  • Host MPOs are limited to receiving no more than $10,000,000 for a single covered event (including amounts from previous years for that event).
  • The Commerce Department studies are to be started and carried out "subject to the availability of appropriations." No dollar amount for those studies is specified in the bill text.
  • Allocated grant funds not spent within one year after a covered event ends will be reallocated according to the bill's rules.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.