New Bill Authorizes $50M Annually for Olympic and World Cup City Transit Upgrades

The newly introduced Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025 is essentially a specialized federal grant program designed to keep the wheels turning when the U.S. hosts mega-events like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup. It authorizes $50 million every fiscal year for the Secretary of Transportation to hand out as grants to help host cities and surrounding areas manage the massive transportation logistics these international spectacles require (SEC. 2).

The $50 Million Game Plan

Think of this as a targeted infrastructure injection. The money is specifically for “eligible entities,” which includes the state, local, or tribal governments hosting the event, as well as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and even nonprofits set up to run the games. The goal is to fund transportation projects and planning activities within 100 miles of the event location that will help move people and goods related to the event (SEC. 2).

The bill is clear about what not to fund: You can’t use this money for temporary infrastructure needed only for the games. Instead, it’s meant for projects that normally qualify for federal funding, making sure that the investment leaves behind lasting infrastructure improvements, not just temporary bleachers and bus lanes. The money is allocated in rounds, prioritizing the most immediate upcoming events, but no single MPO can initially snag more than $10 million per event. This structure aims to spread the wealth, ensuring that multiple host cities—like those hosting the 2026 World Cup—get a fair shot at the funds (SEC. 2).

What Does This Mean for the Commuter?

If you live in or near a host city—say, Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics or one of the cities hosting the 2026 World Cup—this bill matters because it means dedicated federal cash is coming to upgrade your local transit, roads, or planning systems. For the average person, this could translate into smoother traffic flow, better public transit access, or improved infrastructure that sticks around long after the athletes go home. The key is that the projects must be permanent upgrades, not just quick fixes.

However, there’s a catch: The MPO that receives the funds has significant discretion, agreeing only that the project “will help move people or goods related to the event.” This is a pretty broad mandate. While the intent is good, the actual projects funded could be anything from a major subway expansion to just repaving a road near a stadium. It’s up to local planners to ensure these funds are used for projects that truly benefit the wider community, not just the event organizers.

The Clock is Ticking on the Cash

The funding has strict time limits. Entities are only eligible to receive assistance starting five years before the event and ending 30 days after it wraps up. And here’s the best part for accountability: If the money isn't spent within one year after the event concludes, it gets clawed back and reallocated to other eligible entities. This keeps the pressure on local governments to execute projects efficiently and on time, rather than letting the money sit in a bank account for years (SEC. 2).

Tracking the Tourism Dollars

Beyond the infrastructure grants, the bill also mandates the Secretary of Commerce to conduct detailed studies on the economic impact of the 2028 Olympics and the 2026 World Cup on the U.S. travel and tourism industry. These studies must look at changes in international and domestic travel frequency, business revenues, and employment rates in the tourism sector (SEC. 3). For small business owners and those working in hospitality, these reports—which must be publicly posted online—will offer valuable, data-backed insight into whether hosting these massive events actually delivers the promised economic boost.