WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT), introduced a bill to boost American sports diplomacy as the U.S. kicks off a decade of hosting large worldwide sporting events, which will help increase the number of tourists coming to the United States to attend them. The bipartisan American Decade of Sports Act requires the Department of State to develop a comprehensive sports diplomacy strategy that leverages the many global sporting events the United States will host over the next decade, establishing the “Mega-Decade of Sports Diplomacy.” Working through the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the strategy will guide U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, coordinate with U.S. host cities and states, engage key diaspora communities, and promote American sports culture, alongside U.S. industry and tourism, to international audiences.
Between 2024 and 2034, the U.S. will host or has already hosted the 2024 Copa America Soccer Tournament, the 2025 Club World Cup Soccer Tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
“The United States is preparing to host multiple, exciting, large worldwide sporting events, and we must seize the opportunity to show the world the best we have to offer,” said Senator Rosen. “As the eyes of the globe fall on the United States during this American Decade of Sports, our bipartisan bill will help promote our nation through sports diplomacy, incentivize the exchange of American values to the rest of the world, and bring more visitors to our cities to boost our local tourism economies. By leveraging all of our diplomatic might, we will ensure this decade is for us to win.”
“Over the next decade, the United States will have the opportunity to share our values and culture with sports teams and fans from around the globe,” said Senator Young. “Our bill will ensure the U.S. maximizes these moments to showcase American excellence, strengthen relationships with allies, and demonstrate that when America hosts the world, we do it better than anyone.”
“As California hosts the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games and multiple 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity on the world stage to showcase American innovation while strengthening our economy,” said Senator Padilla. “This bill is about growing the global fan base for American sports and culture. It would advance a cost-effective solution that expands U.S. global engagement with our international partners, promotes American values, and coordinates streamlined visa processing to help ensure the next decade of sports in America is a success.”
“America is in a decade of sports, with multiple international games taking place in the United States, culminating in the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Utah,” said Senator Curtis. “The American Decade of Sports Act ensures that our State Department can do the games justice and is well-equipped to handle the numerous athletes, spectators, and official delegations that will visit the United States.”
Senator Rosen continues to be a champion for Nevada’s travel and tourism industry. Last year, she helped introduce the bipartisan Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA (VISIT USA) Act to fully restore Brand USA’s funding, which is critical for promoting international tourism to the United States. She’s also pushed back on President Trump’s reckless tariffs on Canada, which are affecting the Nevada tourism industry. Senator Rosen also sent a letter urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to suspend implementation of the proposed Visa Bond Pilot Program, which will impose a substantial fee on international visitors seeking to obtain a business visitor or tourist visa to the United States. In 2022, as Chair of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, Senator Rosen passed her bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act into law, which helped strengthen the U.S. travel and tourism industry.
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