World Cup 2026 to generate over $80B in global economic impact

Football tournament set to draw 6.5 million visitors despite high ticket, accommodation costs

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to generate more than $80 billion in global economic output, boosting sectors ranging from tourism and retail to transport and services. The tournament will kick off June 11 at Azteca Stadium in Mexico and will be held in 16 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico. For the first time, the expanded format will feature 48 teams competing in a total of 104 matches. The event is expected to draw 6.5 million visitors, who could spend up to $13.9 billion, while generating $80.1 billion in gross output and contributing $40.9 billion to global gross domestic product, according to a report by FIFA and the World Trade Organization.n. It is also expected to create 824,000 full-time jobs. The one-month event will take place in Vancouver, Toronto, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco. The final will be played on July 19 in New Jersey.   With 11 host cities, the US is expected to account for most of the economic impact. The tournament is expected to create 185,000 full-time jobs in the US, while contributing $17.2 billion to the economy and $3.4 billion in direct and indirect tax revenue. The US is also expected to host around 1.24 million international visitors, with 60% projected to be new tourists traveling specifically for the event, according to Oxford Economics. Los Angeles aims to generate millions in revenue from hosting eight matches, with the total economic impact estimated at $594 million, surpassing that of the 2022 Super Bowl. However, the World Cup is becoming increasingly expensive for fans due to high ticket prices and accommodation costs. The average daily expense for an international visitor is estimated at $416. Fans are expected to stay in host countries for an average of 12 days and attend at least two matches per person. Host cities are expecting record occupancy levels and shortages in short-term rental supply. Average nightly hotel rates in cities such as Los Angeles, typically around $227, are expected to rise by 90% during the event, reaching up to $480, according to Micronomics. FIFA’s dynamic pricing model is also expected to push ticket prices higher based on demand. Ticket prices vary depending on category and match importance, with the cheapest starting at around $700 for group-stage matches. During the last round of ticket sales, a Category 1 ticket to the final cost more than $10,000.