Silicon Valley’s smallest player is about to throw some serious shade at its big-city neighbors. Santa Clara, the underdog city with just 128,000 residents, is dropping a cool million to make sure it doesn’t get lost in the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup shuffle.

With San Jose and San Francisco flexing their mega-event muscles, Santa Clara is fighting to prove it’s more than just a tech backdrop. District 5 Councilmember Suds Jain is determined to showcase the city’s unique charm, planning everything from night markets to STEM celebrations that scream “we’re here, we’re quirky, get used to it!”

Small City, Big Dreams

The city’s tourism nonprofit, Discover Santa Clara, isn’t playing small ball. They’re rolling out a comprehensive marketing strategy designed to show the world Santa Clara isn’t just another corporate campus, but a vibrant community with diverse culture, killer shops, and food that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Show Me the Money

Remember Super Bowl 50 in 2016? Santa Clara barely scored 7% of the economic boost while San Francisco walked away with a whopping 57%. This time, they’re not letting the big boys steal their thunder. With events ranging from watch parties to concerts, they’re determined to grab a slice of that billion-dollar regional revenue pie.

Community First

Interestingly, District 3 Councilmember Karen Hardy wants to ensure the $1 million investment benefits locals first. “This money is for our residents,” she emphasized, acknowledging that most can’t exactly afford those sky-high World Cup tickets.

With 17,000 parade participants already showing hometown pride, Santa Clara is proving that sometimes the smallest players make the loudest noise. Game on, big cities!