B 26-0119 — Official Sports Capital of the United States Designation Act of 2025

ENGROSSEDENROLLED ORIGINAL AAN BILLACT 3__________________ 26-119 5 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 8 __________________ To designate the District of Columbia as the Official Sports Capital of the United StatesStates; and to require Events DC to develop and implement a plan to promote, support, and enhance the District’s status as the nation’s premier destination for sports events, teams, and activities.

and to amend Title II of the Washington Convention Center Authority Act of 1994 to require the Washington Convention and Sports Authority to develop and implement a plan to promote, support, and enhance the District’s status as the nation’s premier destination for sports events, teams, and activities.

TitleTITLE I.

DesignationDESIGNATION ofOF theTHE DistrictDISTRICT asAS theTHE OfficialOFFICIAL SportsSPORTS CapitalCAPITAL ofOF theTHE UnitedUNITED States.STATES.

Short title.

(1) The District of Columbia is home to numerous professional, collegiate, and amateur sports teams, including but not limited to the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, D.C.

Defenders, Old Glory DC, and theDC D.C.Breeze.

Breeze.(2) The District has hosted premier national and international sporting events, including the MLB All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Game, NHL Winter Classic, WNBA All-Star Game, the Mubadala Citi DC Open, World Cup qualifiers, and the Army-Navy Game, showcasing its capacity as a global sports hub.

(2) The District has hosted premier national and international sporting events, including the MLB All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Game, NHL Winter Classic, WNBA All-Star ENGROSSED ORIGINAL Game, the Mubadala Citi DC Open, World Cup qualifiers, and the Army-Navy Game, showcasing its capacity as a global sports hub.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL (4) The District continues to invest in world-class sports venues such as the Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field, Robert F.

Kennedy Memorial Stadium CampusCampus, and the CareFirst Arena, further enhancing its reputation as a premier sports destination.

(5) The District plays a critical role in advancing equity and inclusivity in sports, fostering youth participation through programs like the Department of Park’sParks and Recreation’s community athletics initiatives, and supporting diversity in sports leadership and opportunities.

It is the sense of the Council that the District of Columbia shall be designated as the only “Official Sports Capital of the United States.”States”. Title II.

PlanTITLE toII. promote the District as the Official Sports Capital of the United States.

PLAN TO PROMOTE THE DISTRICT AS THE OFFICIAL SPORTS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES.

Short title.

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL Sec.

TheTitle II of the Washington Convention Center Authority Act of 1994, effective September 28, 1994 (D.C.

Official Code § 10-1201.0110-1202.01 et seq.), is amended as follows:

Official Code § 10-1202.03) is amended by adding a new paragraph (10N) is added to read as follows:

“(10N) To direct no less than $500,000 per fiscal year to support the solicitation and selection of a qualified organization to host marquee sports related events designed to attract sports business professionals, including sports media executives, league commissioners, and sports agency professionals.”.professionals;”.

“(a) EventsThe DCAuthority shall develop and implement a plan to promote and enhance the District’s status as the Official Sports Capital of the United States, which shall include:

ENROLLED ORIGINAL “(3) Partnerships with professional, collegiate, and amateur teams to engage residents and visitors;

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(4) Marketing and branding efforts to highlight the District’s role as the nation’s premier sports hub;

“(b) No later than 120 days after the effective date of thisthe Official Sports IncentivesCapital andof Marketingthe United States Designation Amendment Act of 2025, passed by the Committee on Economic2nd Developmentreading on JulyOctober 11,7, 2025 (Committee(Enrolled printversion of Bill 26-119), Eventsthe DCAuthority shall submit to the Council the plan required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.”.

TitleTITLE III.

StandardSTANDARD provisions.PROVISIONS.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of Congressionalcongressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.

___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 3