Governor Hochul Announces $3.5 Billion in Regional Economic Impact From FIFA World Cup 2026™

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ generated $3.5 billion in total economic impact across New York and New Jersey, exceeding the region's original projected impact of $3.3 billion. The Economic and Fiscal Impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the New York and New Jersey Region report, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, demonstrates the extraordinary scale of economic activity created by hosting the world's largest sporting event.

"Our mission was to welcome the world to New York, while making sure that every New Yorker had the chance to participate in and benefit from this once-in-a-generation event," Governor Hochul said. "And that's exactly what we did. From increased spending at local businesses and restaurants to higher hotel revenues, the World Cup has left a lasting impact on our state. Here in New York, we want to continue to ensure that New Yorkers are reaping the benefits and joy of the World Cup by building more soccer infrastructure for our kids to play across the state."

FIFA World Cup 2026™ activity in New York and New Jersey generated approximately $1.9 billion in direct spending, supported 27,424 total full-and part-time jobs, generated approximately $1.4 billion in total labor income, and spurred $414.2 million in total state and local tax revenues.

The impact was felt throughout the regional economy as New York and New Jersey welcomed visitors from across the United States and around the world for eight matches at New York New Jersey Stadium, including the FIFA World Cup Final, as well as free Official Fan Events and other affiliated programming throughout New Jersey and all five New York City boroughs and New York State. More than 645,000 fans attended the region's eight World Cup matches, while an additional 626,300 non-local visitors traveled to New York or New Jersey to participate in World Cup-related activities, including regional fan experiences. Together, match and non-match attendees generated approximately $1.7 billion in direct spending across the regional economy.

Operational spending associated with staging the tournament totaled approximately $286 million.

The tournament's economic benefits reached businesses and workers across a wide range of industries:

• Lodging: Approximately $653 million in direct spending
• Food and Beverage: Approximately $346 million in direct spending
• Retail: Approximately $264 million in direct spending
• Transportation: Approximately $200 million in direct spending
• Recreation and Entertainment: Approximately $195 million in direct spending

Beyond direct visitor and operational spending, those dollars continued circulating throughout New York and New Jersey through purchases from regional suppliers and spending by workers whose jobs and incomes were supported by the tournament. In total, approximately $1.9 billion in direct economic activity generated an additional $693 million in indirect business activity and $916 million in induced economic activity, bringing the tournament's total regional economic impact to approximately $3.5 billion.

Senior Director of Major Events Justin Brannan said, "From the Lower East Side to Niagara Falls, the World Cup was a clear win for New York. With the eyes of the world on us, Governor Hochul delivered once again, and thanks to extraordinary coordination at every level of government, we welcomed millions of fans and successfully hosted one of the largest sporting events in history - safely, seamlessly and inclusively. This was a once-in-a-generation summer, and this report proves that smart investments in major events pay real dividends: supporting jobs, driving business to local communities and generating economic returns across the state. New York didn't just host the world; we made sure New Yorkers benefited from it - and showed, on the biggest stage imaginable, exactly what New York does best."

FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said, "The final numbers demonstrate that New York and New Jersey didn't just rise to the occasion - we exceeded expectations and delivered an impact that will be felt long after the final whistle. Billions of dollars flowed through our hotels, restaurants, small businesses and communities, tens of thousands of jobs were supported, and people across the region shared in the benefits of welcoming the world. Just as importantly, the impact did not end with the Final. The investments, partnerships and global visibility created through this World Cup will continue benefiting our communities and have once again shown that there is no better place in the world to host the biggest moments in sports and culture than New York and New Jersey."

The study found that the tournament supported 27,424 total jobs across New York and New Jersey, including nearly 18,000 jobs directly supported by World Cup operational and visitor spending. Food and beverage businesses saw the largest employment impact, with approximately 4,500 total jobs supported, followed by transportation with approximately 4,400 total jobs and lodging with approximately 4,000 total jobs. Those employment impacts translated into approximately $1.4 billion in total labor income for workers throughout the regional economy, including approximately $792 million in direct labor income and another $580 million generated through indirect and induced economic activity.

The tournament also produced significant benefits for the public sector. Regional World Cup-related activity generated approximately $759 million in total federal, state and local tax revenue, including $414.2 million for state and local governments. That included approximately $174 million in total sales tax revenue and nearly $39 million in total bed tax revenue.

Tourism Economics conducted pre- and post-event analyses to measure the economic impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ on the New York New Jersey region.

The initial analysis, published in July 2025, projected that the tournament would generate $3.3 billion in total economic output across New York and New Jersey. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Tourism Economics conducted a post-event analysis in August 2026 using the same methodology, with key model inputs updated to reflect actual tournament data. The analysis found that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ generated $3.5 billion in total economic output across the region, surpassing the original projection.

The increase was driven by several factors, including higher-than-projected operational spending by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, local and federal governments, and other stakeholders; greater attendance at Official Fan Events than originally anticipated, partially offset by a higher share of local attendees; and a larger share of international match attendees than initially projected, partially offset by a higher share of local match attendees.

The $500,000 New York State Community World Cup Grant Program ensured the 2026 FIFA World Cup was celebrated throughout New York State by supporting locally led viewing events. It aims to drive regional economic activity, increase visitation to local businesses, and provide all New Yorkers with a safe, accessible opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-generation global sporting event. As a result, 13 projects across seven Upstate regions received Regional Activation grants to produce dozens of World Cup-themed community events.

At Stony Brook University on June 12, the state's Long Island flagship event had approximately 6,000 attendees throughout the day, including about 5,000 for the evening USA vs. Paraguay watch party. The event was free and family-friendly, and included live match broadcasts, a concert by Third Eye Blind, a Family Fan Zone, interactive soccer experiences, food vendors, and public-facing exhibits from State agencies. The Stony Brook event also ensured inclusion and access were built into the event from the beginning, with accessible viewing areas, ADA accommodations, inclusive planning, Special Olympics New York participation, and family programming for attendees of all abilities.

The UBS Arena World Cup Watch Party on June 19 drew more than 13,000 attendees across two matches, including about 3,000 for USA vs. Australia and more than 10,000 for Haiti vs. Brazil. It resulted in a high-energy, destination watch party that combined live match broadcasts, indoor and outdoor fan activations, team experiences, food and beverage offerings, and broad community gathering space. It also brought together UBS Arena, Oak View Group, the New York Mets, the New York Islanders, and New York City Football Club in a rare cross-sector partnership that helped extend the benefits of the World Cup beyond the host venue.

The free New York State United - 2026 World Cup Watch Experience at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County welcomed more than 5,500 New Yorkers. More than 25 partners, including New York State Agencies, local law enforcement, local soccer teams, and more hosted family-friendly activities before the match began. Additionally, 18 local food and drink vendors attended, reinforcing New York's ability to extend the World Cup beyond host cities and drive local economies across the state.

The free watch party in Central Park for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final welcomed more than 30,000 fans. Backed by a $9.5 million investment from Empire State Development and a $3.5 million allocation from New York City, the watch party provided the attendees with a free place to gather and watch the World Cup Final. iHeartRadio served as the official media partner for the event. National syndicated on-air personalities Charlamagne Tha God and Elvis Duran emceed the watch party, and the event also featured live entertainment and local food vendors.

The tournament's impact continues beyond its economic return. As part of the enacted FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul launched the $5 million NY Kicks program: A World Cup Legacy Investment Fund aimed at building soccer infrastructure in disadvantaged communities across each region of the state to strengthen neighborhoods and bring people together through a shared love of the game even after the World Cup is over. The budget also includes up to $1 million in additional funding to support NY Kicks recipients with equipment, training, and other operating costs to maximize use of these new facilities including uniforms, shin guards, soccer balls and coaches.

Altogether, the tournament's record economic performance and lasting community investments further cement New York and New Jersey as the world's premier destination for major global sporting events - with the infrastructure, experience and unmatched regional assets to welcome the world at extraordinary scale while delivering lasting benefits for the people who call the region home.

The final Economic and Fiscal Impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the New York and New Jersey Region report can be found here.