New York and New Jersey expect $3.3B boost from hosting World Cup

Article content

New York and New Jersey officials are projecting a $3.3 billion economic boost to the region from hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Article content

The region will hold eight matches at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, including the final on July 19, 2026, expecting to bring in over 1.2 million fans and tourists, according to an economic impact summary released Monday by the NYNJ Host Committee, the local body responsible for organizing the games.

Article content

Article content

The tournament will generate $1.3 billion in projected total labor income for the regional economy, and $1.7 billion in projected spending within the regional economy by match and non-match attendees, according to the committee’s estimates.

Next year’s games are expected to be the most highly attended in FIFA’s history, with roughly six million fans from around the world projected to attend the tournament’s 104 matches in the US, Canada and Mexico. Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles are among the other 11 host US cities.

Article content

Article content

“It’s a legacy-defining opportunity to create lasting economic and social impact for New York and New Jersey,” said Alex Lasry, chief executive officer of the NYNJ Host Committee in a statement. “From record tourism and global visibility to local investment and job creation, this tournament will help shape the future of our region.”

President Donald Trump — who refers to FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a friend — has high expectations for next year’s turnout even as he continues to roll out tariffs on a swath of countries, including nations that are expected to compete in the World Cup next year.

“Tensions are a good thing,” Trump said during a FIFA task force meeting at the White House earlier this year when asked about how his policies could impact the games. “It’ll make it more exciting.”

Article content

More than 26,000 jobs will be generated across both states to support the games, according to the summary. The event will also bring in roughly $432 million in state and local tax revenues. The study was carried out in partnership with Tourism Economics, which is owned by Oxford Economics.

The Club World Cup 2025 — a 63-match competition between top club soccer teams from around the world — concluded with a final hosted by the New Jersey-New York region on July 13. The tournament sold close to 1.5 million tickets, according to a statement from FIFA. The games served as a small preview of what’s to come in 2026.

“In less than one year from today, more than one billion people around the world will be watching,” said Chair of the NYNJ Host Committee Tammy Murphy in a statement. “The countdown is on for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our region on the world stage.”

Article content