The World Cup will draw millions of fans, but economic payoff is modest

TL;DR

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest sporting event in history, held across three countries and 16 cities.
The tournament is expected to engage around 6 billion people globally and draw 6.5 million fans to games.
Economic projections estimate a significant boost to U.S. GDP ($17.2 billion) and global GDP ($40.9 billion).
Job creation is a positive outcome, with a jump in U.S. leisure and hospitality jobs attributed partly to expected World Cup tourism.
Host cities are expected to see between $160 million and $620 million in incremental economic activity each.
International visitors are projected to spend over $5,000 per person.
The World Cup is also anticipated to be one of the largest gambling events, with an estimated $60 billion wagered globally.
Hotel bookings have been slower than anticipated, with 80% of hoteliers reporting below-forecast bookings due to international travel barriers and rising costs.
Exorbitant ticket prices, dynamic pricing, and catering to wealthier fans are obstacles for attendees.
Fans are estimated to spend over $2,100 on average to attend the World Cup, including tickets, flights, and hotels.
Goldman Sachs analysis suggests that while there will be a temporary economic boost, the long-term economic effects on host nations are negligible.
Host countries will only benefit partially, as much of the spending is expected to occur in other countries.

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