Pasadena Business Today

Today’s Top Brief: Less Than 30 Days to Go Before Pasadena Minimum Wage Rises to $18.57
Pasadena’s citywide minimum wage rises from $18.04 to $18.57 per hour on July 1, 2026, for all employers regardless of size, the City of Pasadena said. The rate holds through June 30, 2027, and is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Qualifying national fast-food chains remain on the state’s separate $20.00 per hour rate. Employers with questions can reach Code Compliance Manager Jon Pollard in the Planning and Community Development Department at (626) 744-6831. Full notice: City of Pasadena minimum wage announcement

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Pasadena Businesses Urged to Prepare for World Cup, Olympics and Other Major-Event Opportunities
The City of Pasadena says it is supporting local businesses preparing for four major international events: the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Super Bowl LXI, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Super Bowl LXI is set for Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The city lists five supplier resources for businesses seeking to compete for contracts:

• Get in the Game LA — supplier resource hub offering advising, cohort training and on-demand classes: getinthegamela.com
• LA28 Supplier Registration Portal — la28.supplierone.co (registration does not guarantee a contract)
• Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement (RAMP), City of Los Angeles — rampla.org
• Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) Business Connect — lasec.net/business-connect
• Procure LA — operated by the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment: procurela.com

On the World Cup: Los Angeles will host eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, from June 12 through a Quarterfinal on July 10, 2026; the tournament overall runs through July 19. Pasadena will not host games, but the city says the tournament will give local businesses a chance to attract visiting soccer fans. Los Angeles match schedule

Branding rules: Businesses may not use official FIFA logos or branding on marketing materials or signs, and single-branded retail stores, restaurants, breweries and airports may not use “FIFA World Cup 26” on promotional materials. Businesses may use teams’ national flags, team colors and general soccer motifs.

Watch parties: Small-scale non-commercial events under 1,000 people — including watch parties held under a bar’s or restaurant’s normal programming — do not require FIFA review or a license. Events of 1,000 or more, or commercial events involving admission fees or sponsorships, require FIFA review and a license from FIFA’s media partners.

Local help: The Small Business Development Center hosted by Pasadena City College offers no-cost consulting (sbdc@pasadena.edu or (626) 585-3105), and the Women’s Business Center serves women entrepreneurs in the San Gabriel Valley (pasadenawbc.org).

City overview: City of Pasadena Major Events page

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Pasadena Vendors Urged to Update City Procurement Profiles for Bid Notices
The City of Pasadena is reminding vendors to update their electronic procurement profiles with current North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The city says doing so allows vendors to receive relevant solicitation notices and increases their visibility in the city’s procurement system. The city’s contracting portal lists open bid and proposal opportunities; vendors who have not registered may do so through the portal, and existing vendors can subscribe to receive notices directly. Portal: procurement.opengov.com/portal/Pasadena

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Chamber Calendar: AI Workshop, Ribbon Cuttings and Monthly Networking
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has posted the following upcoming events on its calendar:

• June 15, 10 a.m. — “AI & Commerce – Growing Your Business with AI Workshop”
• July 8, 10:45 a.m. — Ribbon cutting, Levant Mediterranean Oven & Grill
• Aug. 27, 2 p.m. — Ribbon cutting, BMO Bank
Standing monthly events: Connection Breakfast, third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 a.m., at Villa Gardens; Luncheon Alliance, first Wednesday of each month, 11:30 a.m. Chamber: (626) 795-3355.

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What to Watch: County Sales-Tax Measure
Los Angeles County’s Measure ER, the Essential Services Restoration Act, would raise the countywide sales tax by a half-cent for five years, from 9.75% to 10.25%, generating an estimated $1 billion a year for health care. In early, uncertified returns reported the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the measure was trailing, with below 47% support against the 50% needed — a provisional figure that will shift as the county continues counting. The final result is not yet confirmed. If it passes, the higher rate would take effect in October 2026; Pasadena retailers would collect it on taxable sales, while groceries, prescription drugs and medical equipment would be exempt. Results: results.lavote.gov

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