Visit Santa Cruz County Joins the Bay Area Host Committee as a Strategic Partner Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™
Photo: Ben Ingram and Visit Santa Cruz County
Coastal charm, cultural vibrancy and close proximity position Santa Cruz as a natural destination in the Bay Area’s regional hosting strategy
Mountain View, CA (June 13, 2025) — The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) today announced a strategic partnership with Visit Santa Cruz County, expanding the regional footprint of FIFA World Cup 26™ celebrations and legacy programming.
As part of the collaboration, Visit Santa Cruz County will serve as a key partner in amplifying World Cup engagement through integrated marketing, hospitality support, and community activation. The partnership includes access to Santa Cruz County venues and hotels for official and ancillary events, as well as a turnkey resource for event coordination, venue bookings, and curated visitor experiences. The county will also play a role in long-term legacy and impact initiatives associated with the tournament.
“This partnership ensures the excitement and economic opportunity of the World Cup reaches the entire Bay Area footprint,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, President & CEO of BAHC. “Santa Cruz brings a unique energy and depth to our regional strategy—one that blends innovation, hospitality, and lasting community impact.”
Visit Santa Cruz County will also support BAHC’s stakeholder engagement, provide access to civic leaders, and facilitate fundraising conversations to maximize regional benefit.
“Santa Cruz County is excited to play a role in bringing the world’s largest sporting event to life in the Bay Area, said Terence Concannon, CEO of Visit Santa Cruz County. From our iconic beaches to our towering redwoods, bountiful farmlands, and welcoming communities, we are stoked to highlight all that makes Santa Cruz County a world-class destination and a wonderful place to live”.
Together, BAHC and Visit Santa Cruz County are creating a more inclusive, collaborative, and celebratory experience as the Bay Area prepares to welcome the world in 2026.
About the Bay Area Host Committee
The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) is the region’s first long-term sports entity, dedicated to uniting the Bay Area through sport by building pride, connecting communities, and reenergizing the region. As a nonprofit, BAHC partners with local teams, civic leaders, and businesses to bring world-class sporting events to the Bay Area—driving lasting economic, cultural, and social impact.
BAHC is proud to have Boston Consulting Group (BCG), EA SPORTS, Kaiser Permanente and other visionary organizations as founding partners, supporting its mission to bring communities together and create lasting legacies through world-class events and sports. For more information, visit www.bayareahostcommittee.com or email us at info@bayareahostcommittee.com.
About Visit Santa Cruz County
A private, non-profit corporation, Visit Santa Cruz County (VSCC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference, and film destination. For more information, contact VSCC at +1.831.425.1234 or visit VSCC’s website at SantaCruz.org.
Getting There:
Located along the Central Coast, Santa Cruz County, California, is approximately 70 miles/113 km south of San Francisco and 349 miles/562 km from Los Angeles. Many visitors choose to take scenic Highway 1 along the California coastline to Santa Cruz or Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visitors can also choose to fly into San Francisco International Airport or San Jose Mineta International Airport.