Key Takeaways
- The Rose Bowl Institute will host its inaugural Sportsmanship Summit on June 8-9, 2026, days before FIFA World Cup matches begin in Los Angeles
- The two-day event features three programming tracks focused on professional, collegiate, and youth sports
- Partner organizations include the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, Players Coalition, Sport for Impact, and Champions for Good
- The summit coincides with America’s 250th anniversary and Los Angeles serving as a World Cup host city
- Speaker lineup, detailed schedule, and registration information will be released in early 2026
The Rose Bowl Institute announced Wednesday it will convene a global summit on sportsmanship in Pasadena next June, bringing together athletes, educators, and youth sports leaders days before the FIFA World Cup arrives in Southern California.
The inaugural Sportsmanship Summit, scheduled for June 8-9, 2026 at Rose Bowl Stadium, will gather Olympic champions, World Cup veterans, Hall of Famers, and youth advocates to examine how principles of fair play and integrity apply beyond competition.
Timing Aligns with World Cup and National Milestone
The event’s placement on the calendar connects two significant moments: Los Angeles hosting World Cup matches and the United States commemorating its 250th anniversary. The summit falls in the days immediately preceding World Cup games at nearby venues, creating what organizers see as an opportunity to engage international visitors arriving for the tournament.
“There is no better place than the Rose Bowl Stadium to host a global summit on sportsmanship, where generations from around the globe have witnessed the unifying power of sport,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “As the soccer and sports world arrives to the Los Angeles area, we’re proud to convene leaders who understand that respect, integrity, and character are the true foundations of sport and the keys to building stronger communities worldwide.”
Three-Track Program Covering Multiple Competition Levels
The summit’s program, titled “Unite Through Sportsmanship–Past, Present & Future,” divides content across professional, collegiate, and youth sports tracks. Each track will include keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops.
Topics scheduled for examination include the evolution of sportsmanship across generations, sports diplomacy, and the role of athletes in driving social change. The programming aims to explore how shared values within sports translate to stronger teams, healthier youth environments, and more connected communities across different cultures.
Partnership Structure Brings Multiple Organizations Together
The Rose Bowl Institute has assembled five partner organizations to support the summit’s development and execution. The Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Players Coalition, Sport for Impact, and Champions for Good will contribute resources and expertise to the two-day gathering.
This partnership structure positions the summit as a collaborative platform rather than a single-organization initiative, though the Rose Bowl Institute maintains primary organizing responsibility.
Looking Ahead
The Rose Bowl Institute plans to announce specific speakers, a detailed schedule, and registration procedures in early 2026. The timing of that announcement, several months before the June event, suggests organizers are building out programming while capitalizing on the momentum of World Cup preparation in the Los Angeles region.
The summit represents one of the Rose Bowl’s first major non-athletic events tied directly to its legacy as a sports venue, using the stadium’s history as a backdrop for examining broader themes around competition and character.
via: Pasadena Now
Courtesy of SportsmanshipSummit.com by Rose Bowl Institute
photo: NY TIMES
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