Just Days Remain for Pasadena Businesses to Bid on World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympic Work

Local businesses have less than 10 days to register for supplier programs tied to two of the three major sporting events arriving in the Los Angeles region over the next three years, according to a City of Pasadena statement issued Thursday.

The city’s Economic Development Division is directing businesses to separate procurement portals for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in February 2027, and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

The city is not directly procuring services for any of the events, the statement said, but is pointing eligible businesses to registration programs run by the NFL, FIFA’s local organizing committee, and LA28.

Pasadena has a direct stake in the sequence: the Rose Bowl will host the Olympic soccer gold medal matches for both men and women in July 2028.

The most immediate deadline is for the Super Bowl LXI Source Program, which closes Saturday, February 28. The NFL, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee are seeking LA-based businesses for subcontracting and procurement opportunities tied to the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Businesses can apply at SuperBowl61Suppliers.com.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Supplier Program deadline follows one day later, on Sunday, March 1. The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee is selecting businesses to provide goods and services including catering, audiovisual production, and event services for the eight matches scheduled at SoFi Stadium beginning June 12, 2026. Applications are at LosAngelesFwc26.com/ProcurementOpportunities.

LA28 supplier registration has no stated deadline but requires businesses to register at La28.SupplierOne.co to be considered for potential opportunities. LA28 has set a goal of directing 75% of its spending to local businesses and 25% to small businesses through its Community Business Supplier Program, according to the organization’s Impact and Sustainability Plan released in August 2025. Registration does not guarantee a contract, the city’s press release noted.

Procurement opportunities for the LA28 Games will also be posted on the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement, known as RAMP, a City of Los Angeles platform at RampLA.org/s.

The Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission’s Business Connect program, which identifies certified minority-, woman-, LGBTQ+-, disability-, and veteran-owned businesses for event procurement, supports contracting for all three events as well as the NBA All-Star 2026 and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open.

ProcureLA, operated by the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, provides free procurement education and connects small businesses with industry stakeholders. The program, launched in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, supports both new and experienced contractors.

Pasadena-based technical assistance is available at no cost. The Small Business Development Center at PCC offers free consulting and workshops and can be reached at sbdc@pasadena.edu or (626) 585-3105. Women entrepreneurs in the San Gabriel Valley can schedule free advising through the Women’s Business Center.

For general information, businesses can call the City of Pasadena’s City Service Center at (626) 744-7311, Monday through Friday during business hours.

The Rose Bowl’s role as an Olympic venue marks the third time the Pasadena stadium will host Olympic competition, following track cycling in 1932 and soccer in 1984. The men’s gold medal match is scheduled for July 28, 2028, and the women’s final for July 29, 2028.