The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a boon for the US economy, according to Bank of America, with a $20 billion boost and a surge in consumer spending. This event has had a significant impact on host cities, with Kansas City and Philadelphia seeing massive local booms. The tournament's economic footprint extends far beyond the turnstiles, with a 5% to 6% increase in spending by BofA's 70 million consumer customers. The spending boom is particularly noticeable in brick-and-mortar restaurants, with host cities seeing a two-percentage-point jump in spending during the opening weeks. Hotels also cashed in, with Kansas City seeing a 90% jump in revenue per room. The tournament's impact is also visible in the geography of the receipts, with lower-income consumers driving much of the boom. Despite a broader hiring slowdown, workers at the bottom who switched jobs pocketed raises of around 12%, with their card spending climbing 4.8% from a year earlier. The tournament's success has already led to Boston eyeing a bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup, and President Trump has floated the idea of the US bidding for the tournament once more in the coming years. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a joint effort by 16 cities across three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The event ran from June 11 to Sunday's final, which saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0.
