Following a lackluster performance in California’s gubernatorial primary, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is seizing a revitalizing opportunity as the FIFA World Cup energizes his city. San Jose, known as the heart of Silicon Valley, is currently experiencing a significant boost from sports tourism, further amplified today as the U.S. national team progresses to the knockout stages in nearby Santa Clara.

Mahan, who has yet to attend a game in Santa Clara, has been a regular at the local watch parties, which have drawn crowds so large that fans have resorted to viewing from the tops of parking garages. At the center of this excitement is the FIFA-sanctioned watch party at San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose, where all 104 World Cup games are being streamed. To date, the event has attracted over 300,000 attendees, far exceeding expectations. "It's been just an incredible experience," Mahan told POLITICO, highlighting the city's success in doubling, perhaps even tripling, anticipated attendance figures.

However, a recent shooting incident near the venue has raised concerns about security at such large-scale events. City officials were quick to clarify that the incident was unrelated to the World Cup festivities and occurred outside of match streaming hours. Despite this, watch parties continued, bolstered by additional screens to help disperse the crowd and enhance safety.

Today’s U.S. match against Bosnia and Herzegovina marks the conclusion of six tournament games hosted in the South Bay this year, a year that also saw the region host the Super Bowl and NCAA March Madness. Learning from these experiences, San Jose officials, including former Olympic athlete Tommy O’Hare who helped coordinate event preparations, have implemented several strategic adjustments to improve crowd management and enhance the viewing experience.

San Jose has also been the point of entry for numerous foreign dignitaries arriving via Mineta San Jose International Airport, underscoring the city's role in the international sporting community. Concurrently, representatives from several countries, including China and South Korea, are participating in a summit on international innovation and investment in San Jose, mingling with executives from major tech firms like NVIDIA and Apple.

Despite his recent electoral defeat, Mayor Mahan remains focused on enriching the local community's experience of the World Cup. "Our North Star has been whether you can afford a ticket to the big game, we want you to have a fun, accessible, and memorable World Cup experience in downtown San Jose," Mahan stated. The city's efforts appear to be paying off, proving San Jose a capable host of world-class events, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere for all attendees.