Memorials, Recognition - Spain Men's National Team -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Powell

Spain and Tennessee are formally commended for selecting Chattanooga/ Tennessee as the Spain national team’s World Cup base camp, highlighting anticipated economic and reputational

Concurred, Ayes 28, Nays 0

#memorials #recognition

Purpose and intent

HJR 1405 is a House Joint Resolution that memorializes and honors the Spain Men’s National Team (La Roja) and the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) for selecting the State of Tennessee and the City of Chattanooga to host the Spain team’s group-phase base camp and training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The resolution expresses appreciation for Tennessee’s role in hosting a world-class soccer team and highlights the anticipated economic and reputational benefits to Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the broader region.

Key provisions and changes

Official commendation: The resolution formally commends Spain’s Men’s National Team and the RFEF for choosing Tennessee and Chattanooga as the base camp and training site for the World Cup.

Public acknowledgement: It extends a warm welcome to the Spain team, its delegation, and supporters.

Context and rationale (non-binding): The document describes:

Why Baylor School in Chattanooga was selected as the training site (superior facilities, privacy, security, infrastructure to support elite athletic performance).
Chattanooga’s proximity to Atlanta, where Spain will play two group-stage matches, aiding logistics.
The collaboration among Baylor, Vision Hospitality Group, Hamilton County, and the Sports and Events Corporation in securing the base camp.
Tennessee’s and Chattanooga’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class soccer.

Economic framing: It notes an estimated economic impact reference point (for non-host U.S. cities serving as FIFA training hubs) suggesting base camp arrangements could generate between $5 million and $15 million in revenue, per an analysis prepared for San Antonio’s World Cup planning.

Who or what is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Spain Men’s National Team, the RFEF, and the Chattanooga/Hamilton County region through hosting duties.

Local institutions and businesses: Baylor School (training facilities), Vision Hospitality Group, and local government entities involved in hosting logistics and tourism-like activity.

No binding changes to law or regulations are proposed; the resolution is ceremonial in nature and serves as official recognition and commendation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The resolution is a concurrent memorial (approved by both House and Senate).

Key timeline:

Introduced and filed: April 13, 2026
House approval: April 13, 2026 (adopted 90 ayes, 0 nays, 3 present not voting)
Engrossed and transmitted to Senate: April 14, 2026
Senate action: Referred to Senate Calendar Committee (as of April 15, 2026)

Final form: The resolution includes a standard “be it resolved” clause and a directive to prepare an appropriate copy for presentation.

Notable details

Sponsor: Representative Powell (sponsor) with a co-sponsor not listed in the summary.

The resolution explicitly recognizes the World Cup hosting context as the first on American soil since 1994.

It emphasizes Chattanooga’s ongoing role as a destination for world-class soccer and ties this to broader state economic and reputational benefits.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with similar resolutions or provide a concise one-paragraph press-ready summary.

Bill