Two Florida cities could host World Cup matches, bring millions to local economies

by | Jun 8, 2022



 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with the bulk of matches occurring on American soil. Of the seventeen venues left in contention to be used in the tournament, Florida is home to two: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Early estimations suggest that the use of the cities could stimulate the local economies to the tune of millions of dollars per game when hotel revenue, food service, and outside local attractions are accounted for.

Florida’s business-recruitment agency in late 2021 allotted $10 million to help Orlando and Miami become host cities, with The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors voting to make $5 million to each city available to support the ongoing bids. If selected as hosts, the funds would support the cities’ logistical needs to host hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of visitors over the month-long competition.

“Florida has the infrastructure, workforce, and experience in tourism and hosting large-scale events that make it a perfect fit to offer two host cities for the World Cup,” said Holly Borgmann, Vice Chairman of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors. “Enterprise Florida is proud to be able to support Miami and Orlando’s efforts, which align perfectly with Governor DeSantis’ and our state’s economic development leaders’ efforts to keep Florida’s economy open, and consistently support business and industry and the world’s number one tourism economy.”

The City of Miami has taken a step further in recent weeks, making a push to host the Final.

“We are the ideal destination,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.

In Los Angeles, the site of the 1994 World Cup final, there was a total economic profit of $623 million that went directly into the metropolitan economy, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. In comparison, the 2020 Super Bowl held at Hard Rock Stadium brought in $572 million, as reported by Market Watch.

Just in California, reports from the Pasadena Convention and Visitor’s Bureau conclude that 1,700 part-time jobs became available during the preparation and duration of the ’94 event, while New York City, San Francisco, and Boston received combined revenue of one billion and forty-five million dollars.

A 2013 academic study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill assessed the efficacy of host cities bringing in revenue through the facilitation of increased economic activity, ultimately concluding that the act of hosting World Cup matches “clearly bring profits to the host counties.”

Moreover, the pair of stadiums have experience in hosting major international soccer matches, with both frequently used as the American base for nations such as Brazil, Colombia, and various Central American countries. Necessitating minimal renovation needed to adhere to FIFA’s stadium bylaws, the Florida cities would forego the trap many areas fall victim to in undermining construction costs and freeing up as much money as possible to provide jobs to workers and properly equipping hotel services for the massive influx of visitors.

The final selection of stadiums is to be revealed on June 18th. Early speculation suggests that Florida is a lock to be chosen for at least one city, if not both.

“In line with the previous stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 selection process, any announcement will be made in the best interests of football, taking into consideration the needs of all stakeholders involved, as we aim to lay the foundations for the tournament to be delivered successfully across all three countries,” FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani said in a release.

1 Comment

  1. Casper

    Look who really is the champions here Tampa Florida on the Tampa Bay area they all got the cities wrong

 

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