Oxnard staff recommends five-year agreement for Dallas Cowboys training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields

Samantha Shapiro, a project manager in the City Manager’s Office, recommended that the Oxnard City Council approve and authorize the mayor to execute a five-year agreement with Blue Star Operation Services LLC to allow the Dallas Cowboys exclusive use of River Ridge Playing Fields for annual training camps from 2026 through 2030.

Shapiro said the proposed contract, identified in the presentation as Agreement A-8587, would grant the Cowboys exclusive use of the River Ridge field, locker room building and adjacent parking area each year from March 1 through Aug. 31, and would define permitting requirements, responsibilities and financial obligations for both parties.

The recommendation follows the existing three-year agreement the city executed in April 2023 that covers 2023 through 2025; Shapiro said the final training camp under that existing agreement will be held over four weeks from late July through mid-August. “Since 2001, the Dallas Cowboys have hosted 19 training camps in the City of Oxnard, utilizing the city-owned River Ridge playing fields to provide a free opportunity for fans to watch the team practice prior to the season,” Shapiro told the council.

Shapiro described the city’s operational responsibilities for the event as providing public safety services, overseeing parking operations, managing volunteers, general maintenance of the facility and coordinating food vendors. She summarized the Cowboys’ responsibilities as securing all necessary permits and licenses for the event, maintaining the field during camp, providing private security and providing custodial services for the locker room.

City staff highlighted the event’s economic and marketing benefits. Shapiro said the 2024 training camp drew about 24,500 attendees over 17 public training days, and that the Cowboys hosted a scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams and ran a youth cheerleading camp in coordination with the city. A 2019 economic analysis by local tourism partners estimated $3.6 million in direct spending regionally from training camp attendees, with 98% estimated to be nonresidents, Shapiro said.

On revenues and costs, staff told the council the city receives a flat rate payment for use of the facility; Shapiro said staff anticipates $75,000 per year for a four-week camp. Additional revenue opportunities cited included parking lot receipts, banner sponsorships and food vendor revenue; staff estimated annual gross revenue of about $175,000 for a four-week camp. City expenses identified included 50% of bleacher costs, maintenance supplies, a contract with Police Explorers for parking lot management and 50% of volunteer meals, with estimated hard costs of about $108,000 for a four-week camp.

Shapiro said local tourism partners Ventura County Coast and Visit Oxnard will continue to promote the camp through print, social media and news outlets. She also noted staff would be available at the City Council meeting on July 1 to answer further questions.

No City Council vote or formal action on the proposed five-year agreement was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.