RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman Unveils More Than $1 Million in Federal Investments to Modernize the Rose Bowl Stadium Ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games
Investment will replace nearly 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure as it prepares to host Olympic Games
Above: Friedman announcing new federal investments at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
PASADENA, CA — Today, April 2, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) joined Rose Bowl Stadium officials, City of Pasadena leaders, and local elected officials to announce that she secured a new, $1,092,000 federal investment to replace and modernize the water and wastewater systems at the Rose Bowl Stadium ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
A recording of the press announcement can be found here.
The stadium’s water and wastewater systems are approaching 100 years old, well past the end of their useful life, with aging pipes showing erosion and presenting daily safety concerns, including risks to drinking water quality, wastewater backups, and drainage failures. Last year, the Rose Bowl also served as a critical staging area for residents and first responders during the devastating Eaton Fire.
“Last year’s devastating wildfires showed us that the Rose Bowl is more than a stadium — it’s a lifeline for our community when we need it most,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “In two years, billions of people around the world will be watching as Gold Medal matches for Olympic Soccer are played right here in Pasadena. We cannot welcome the world to a stadium running on nearly 100-year-old pipes that could fail. This investment ensures America’s Stadium is ready for its moment on the world stage while reducing the burden on local taxpayers. I will continue to fight to bring our tax dollars home to invest in the infrastructure our communities depend on.”
“This funding for the Rose Bowl Stadium will be crucial to replace its water infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympics and would not be possible without the partnership of Representative Friedman, Senator Alex Padilla, our colleagues in the House, and community leaders who helped ensure that California receives the resources it deserves. I’m proud to have fought for and helped deliver hundreds of millions in federal investments to California in my first year in the U.S. Senate,” said Senator Adam Schiff.
"I thank Congresswoman Laura Friedman for securing this critical federal investment in the Rose Bowl Stadium. This federal-local partnership will deliver much needed infrastructure improvements and it comes at exactly the right time," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. "This investment helps address those challenges. At a time when local budgets are stretched thin, every federal dollar secured is a dollar that doesn’t need to be diverted from essential community priorities like public safety, roads, and parks. I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Friedman to ensure the Rose Bowl is ready for 2028 and beyond."
THE $1,092,000 FEDERAL INVESTMENT WILL DELIVER:
- Improved drinking water quality for the more than 1 million annual visitors to the stadium.
- Better flow capacity and drainage to eliminate backups and maintenance failures.
- Upgraded wastewater systems to protect surface and groundwater quality.
- Safer, more reliable infrastructure as the venue prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games for the third time.
This will be the third time the Rose Bowl has hosted the Olympic Games. In 2028, it will host the Gold Medal Semifinals and Finals for both men’s and women’s Olympic Soccer. The Rose Bowl Stadium is an economic engine that creates thousands of jobs and puts the region on the world stage.
Friedman was joined today by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Rose Bowl CEO Jens Weiden, Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President and Chief Development Officer Dedan Borzino, and Pasadena Deputy Fire Chief Tim Sell.
Below: Friedman and local officials announce new federal investments at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
###