International News: World Cup scores early economic boost for host cities, Bank of America says

By Zoila Palma:  The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already providing a significant economic boost to its host cities, according to new consumer spending data released by Bank of America.

The analysis found that overall card-based spending across the tournament’s 16 host cities has increased by 6.3 percent compared with the same period last year, driven by millions of fans attending matches throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The strongest gains have come from visitors traveling into host markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Kansas City, Forbes report.

Spending by non-local consumers has risen by 16.7 percent year over year, reflecting increased expenditures on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping and entertainment. The findings suggest tourism is playing a major role in boosting economic activity as supporters travel to follow their national teams.

The 2026 tournament is the largest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. Bank of America said the expanded format is expected to keep fans traveling for several weeks, extending the economic benefits for local businesses and the hospitality sector. Cities hosting matches have spent years preparing for the event by investing in transportation, security, stadium operations and fan experiences, with officials projecting billions of dollars in visitor spending and job creation.

While economists have long debated the long-term financial impact of hosting major sporting events, the early spending figures indicate that host communities are already experiencing increased consumer activity.

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