2026 State of the City Highlights Santa Clara’s Progress and Future Challenges

This year’s state of the city highlighted Levi’s Stadium being center stage globally. The city held its yearly gala Sept. 30 at Mission City for Performing Arts, located at Wilcox High School, 3250 Monroe Street. With Levi’s Stadium hosting Super Bowl LX and six FIFA World Cup games, Mayor Lisa Gillmor’s keynote focused heavily on what those marquee events demonstrated about the city. “We really met the moment this year,” said City Manager Jovan Grogan while introducing Gillmor, alluding to the city’s 2026 slogan “Where the Mission Meets the Moment.” “While the world watched, Santa Clara showed what makes this community exceptional,” Grogan continued. In her keynote address, Gillmor said Santa Clara gave the world a good show. The city showed it can be a welcoming, warm community that still brings big-ticket experiences to residents and visitors alike. “What a year it has been. It has been groundbreaking. It has been innovative. It has been bold,” she said. Santa