The Rose Bowl received more than $1 million in federal dollars on Thursday, April 2, to fix and in some cases, replace aging pipes that deliver water and carry away wastewater in time for soccer matches for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, announced $1,092,000 in federal dollars will be flowing to the city of Pasadena to improve drinking water and upgrade wastewater systems at the famous stadium. In some cases, the pipes are nearly 100 years old.
A risk of pipes bursting or old pipes with erosion causing water contamination must be averted, especially during men’s and women’s Olympic soccer gold medal matches to be staged at the grand stadium, nestled in the Arroyo Seco on the city’s west side.
“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,” said Friedman.
“This investment ensures America’s Stadium is ready for its moment on the world stage while reducing the burden on local taxpayers,” she added.
Fifth District Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Pasadena, called the Rose Bowl “a vital economic engine” for the city and the region. She said hosting thousands of people in person and billions viewing is both an incredible opportunity and major responsibility to be ready.
The federal dollars come just in time to make the repairs to the stadium, which hosts a major college football game every Jan. 1. The money also benefits the city, officials said.
“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,” Barger said.
Last year, the Rose Bowl also served as a staging area for residents and first-responders during the Eaton fire. “The Rose Bowl is more than a stadium — it’s a lifeline for our community when we need it most,” Friedman said.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo credited Friedman for finding local dollars within a complicated Congressional system.
“As mayor I’m grateful to Laura Friedman for taking on the challenge, and relieving the city of that financial burden,” said Gordo.
“Residents and people who love and care for the stadium have been very generous in making contributions for the field, improvements in the press box and in general, but it’s been difficult to find people to make contributions to infrastructure,” he added.