The American Decade of Sports Act directs the State Department to develop and implement a comprehensive diplomacy strategy leveraging major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 to strengthen global influence and cultural ties.
Jacky Rosen
Senator
NV
The American Decade of Sports Act mandates that the State Department develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to leverage major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 for diplomatic and economic gain. The bill establishes an Office of Sports Diplomacy to coordinate these efforts, foster international partnerships, and streamline visa processes for event participants. Additionally, it requires regular reporting to Congress to ensure accountability and progress throughout this "mega-decade" of global competition.
American Decade of Sports Act: U.S. to Overhaul Visa Processes and Diplomatic Strategy for World Cup and Olympic Games Through 2034
Between now and 2034, the United States is basically the world’s stadium. We’re hosting the heavy hitters: the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics in LA, and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah, just to name a few. The 'American Decade of Sports Act' is the government’s plan to make sure we don’t just host these games, but actually use them to fix some long-standing headaches—like the nightmare of international visa wait times—and polish our image on the global stage. It’s a move to turn 'sports fans' into 'diplomatic wins' by requiring the State Department to treat these events like a ten-year strategic mission rather than just a series of one-off parties.
The VIP Line for Visas
If you’ve ever tried to help a relative or a business partner get a visa to visit the U.S., you know the wait times can be legendary for all the wrong reasons. Section 3 of this bill specifically orders the State Department to create a plan for a 'fast and secure' visa process. This isn't just for the superstar athletes; it includes their families, support staff, and even the fans. For someone running a hotel in a host city like Atlanta or Seattle, or a small business owner hoping for a boost from international tourists, this is a big deal. If the fans can’t get their paperwork in time, they can’t spend their money here. The bill doesn't give a specific number of days for the 'fast' track, but it mandates regular updates to Congress to ensure the government is actually cutting down those appointment wait times.
More Than Just a Game
The bill formally renames the existing Sports Diplomacy Division to the 'Office of Sports Diplomacy' and gives it some actual teeth. Under Section 4, the Secretary of State has to hire at least three full-time staff members whose only job is to manage this 'Mega-Decade.' Think of them as the ultimate project managers connecting local host cities with international partners. For a local artist in Los Angeles or a tech startup in a World Cup host city, this office is supposed to be the bridge that helps them get their work in front of foreign audiences. It’s an attempt to make sure the economic and cultural benefits of these games reach beyond just the stadium walls and into the local community.
Keeping the Refs in Check
Because this is a ten-year plan, there’s a lot of room for things to get buried in bureaucracy. To prevent that, the bill requires a 'Sports Diplomacy Strategy' to be posted publicly on the State Department’s website within 180 days. This means we’ll be able to see exactly how they plan to measure success. Every year until 2034, the State Department has to hand in a progress report to Congress (Section 5). While the bill is a bit vague on what 'success' looks like—using terms like 'boosting U.S. influence'—the requirement for public access and regular reporting means we can see if they’re actually hitting their goals or just making fancy brochures. It’s a long-term play to ensure that when the world shows up for the Olympics, the U.S. government is actually ready to greet them at the door.