The U.S. Travel Association has launched the America’s Sports and Travel Mega Event Coalition (ASTMEC), a national alliance of sports, travel and business leaders that will work in close partnership with the White House to help the U.S. successfully host a historic slate of global sporting events.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, ASTMEC aims to ensure federal policies, infrastructure and security systems are in place to support these and other mega events—expected to generate $100 billion in economic impact nationwide over the next four years.
This Said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, in a media statement: “The Trump administration’s launch of the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics lays critical groundwork for a historic decade of global sports. This is another opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate its leadership on the world stage. Hosting these events will bring global attention and millions of visitors to our cities—but momentum isn’t enough. Success demands strategy, unity and investment. We urge the White House Task Force to press Congress to scrap the misguided $250 junk fee that will deter legitimate visitors. ASTMEC is ready to partner with federal and local leaders to deliver a secure, seamless experience and a legacy that lasts.”
Over the next four years, the U.S. is projected to welcome more than 30 million international visitors for major sporting events, which, notes USTA, “places new demands on the country’s travel systems and infrastructure.”
According to USTA, to help meet those demands and enhance the visitor experience, ASTMEC will work closely with federal officials to focus on: modernizing visa and entry systems, including a new Visa Task Force; upgrading airports and deploying next-generation security technology; and ensuring fast, safe travel for athletes, fans, sponsors and media.
To note: The federal government is investing $625 million in 2026 FIFA World Cup operations and $1 billion to the 2028 Olympic Games.
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