2026 World Cup: A $40B Economic Boost for US, Canada & Mexico

The Bay Area is preparing to host both a Super Bowl and a FIFA World Cup match in 2026, a first for any venue globally, as the tournament prepares to reshape the economic landscape of host cities across North America.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19, will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA anticipates approximately 6.5 million fans will attend matches in person, although global viewership is projected to reach into the billions, mirroring the 1.5 billion who watched the final match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 2018 World Cup drew at least 3.572 billion viewers worldwide.

The economic impact is expected to be substantial. A 2025 study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimates the tournament could add $40.9 billion to global GDP. Los Angeles, as a host city, projects $515 million in direct visitor spending on lodging, dining, retail, transportation, and entertainment, with an additional $377 million in follow-on economic activity. This spending extends beyond tickets to encompass meals, transit, apparel, and unplanned purchases.

FIFA’s official hospitality provider, On Location, is already marketing luxury packages. The “Recent York/New Jersey Venue Series,” including eight matches and the final, starts at $25,800 per person. Alongside these premium offerings, cities are preparing accessible fan experiences. New York City will transform the Rockefeller Center rink into a soccer pitch as part of the NYNJ Fan Village, and the Channel Gardens will celebrate the eight nations that have previously won the tournament. Kansas City’s official FIFA Fan Festival will be free to attend, accessible through a 65-foot-tall heart-shaped gateway at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Visa is the official payment technology partner for ticketing, while Bank of America has become FIFA’s first global banking sponsor for the 2026 World Cup. This partnership underscores the importance of the payments infrastructure supporting the event.

Airbnb, an official tournament supporter, is launching a $5 million Host City Impact Program and estimates its guests could generate roughly $3.6 billion in economic activity across the three host countries, based on Deloitte estimates. This suggests the economic benefits will extend beyond major sponsors and stadium operators to include local businesses like restaurants, short-term rentals, and transit providers.

In New Jersey, MetLife Stadium is slated to host the final match on July 19, 2026, and will feature a Super Bowl-inspired halftime show, a first for a FIFA World Cup final. The performance, produced in partnership with Global Citizen, aims to raise awareness and funds for education initiatives worldwide, with a goal of raising £74.9 million ($100 million).