American cities travel to the birthplace of the Olympics to propose hosting upcoming world championships

LAUSANNE, Switzerland Representatives from a dozen American cities visited the center of the Olympic movement this week to express the United States ambition to host additional world championships and major sports events.

Members of the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) from across the country convened in Lausanne to meet with the governing bodies of Summer and Winter Olympic sports, which regularly select cities for their upcoming competitions.

John David, president and CEO of Sports ETA, explained that the visit aimed to demonstrate the U.S.s welcoming approach: We want Olympic sports to feel the warm embrace that the United States offers, he said.

The U.S. has already secured a series of major events over the next decade, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the 2034 Winter Games in Utah, and mens and womens World Cups in 2026 and 2031, respectively. Yet opportunities remain for other championships, similar to Boston hosting the figure skating Worlds earlier this year, which are usually awarded about three years in advance.

David emphasized the importance of long-term engagement: This is about planning ahead and building trust with the sports federations.

Accommodation and Tourism Impact

Bostons week-long figure skating championships used around 17,000 hotel room nights, according to Greg Piatelli of Meet Boston. The U.S. attracts international visitors who are eager to explore, he noted.

Houston has also welcomed global audiences, hosting weightlifting world championships in 2015 with participants from over 100 countries, said Janis Burke, Sports ETAs international strategy director.

Visa and Access Challenges

The upcoming FIFA World Cup, with 11 U.S. host cities alongside locations in Mexico and Canada, underscores challenges with access. Citizens of qualifying countries like Haiti and Iran face travel restrictions, and Iranian officials were denied visas to attend the tournament draw in Washington, D.C.

Burke highlighted the significance of maintaining strong relationships with U.S. lawmakers: These cities have strong connections with their elected officials and communities, which is crucial for hosting international events.

President Trump has assured visas for athletes and officials for the next World Cup and Olympics, though it remains unclear which other championships may qualify for exemptions.

Baseball and Softball Return

With baseball and softball set to return to the 2028 Olympics in California and Oklahoma, Michael Schmidt of the World Baseball Softball Confederation reported no obstacles during recent visits to the host cities, comparing them favorably to Lima and Vienna.

World Cup Attendance

The 2026 World Cup is expected to attract at least two million visitors to the U.S. Houston, hosting seven matches at the Texans stadium, is anticipated to be particularly popular. Visitors will be impressed; safety will not be an issue, Burke said.

Author: Olivia Parker