2026 World Cup Expected to Boost Global Consumer Spending

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Nielsen reported that American audiences spent nearly 80 billion minutes watching soccer on television in 2025. The same data showed 33 percent of Americans expect their interest in soccer to rise over the next 18 months.

NielsenIQ data from the 2022 tournament recorded higher global sales of beer, soft drinks, frozen foods, chips and ready-to-eat meals during match periods. Food-delivery and grocery platforms reported peak order volumes on final-match days. Lay’s, the official snack partner for 2026, is releasing 40 limited-edition flavors tied to national cuisines and is running social-media promotions featuring athletes and entertainers.

A World Economic Forum report listed accommodation, food, leisure and sports among the fastest-growing sectors expected to support global economic growth over the next five years. The Financial Times reported that some host cities are seeing weaker advance bookings than projected after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Hotel rates in Atlanta and San Francisco have declined by roughly one-third compared with earlier forecasts. FIFA stated that total prize money and financial distributions to the 48 participating teams will rise 15 percent to $871 million. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a lottery offering 1,000 tickets priced at $50 for matches at MetLife Stadium, excluding the final.