$3 billion boost to the New York economy for the 2026 World Cup? Financial experts say “no way”

Multiple reports claim that the New York/New Jersey region is set to feel the benefit of a $3 billion windfall thanks to the upcoming World Cup spread across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the region’s MetLife Stadium set to host the final of the world’s greatest tournament.

However, some financial analysts aren’t so convinced, and are instead arguing that such large-scale predictions often don’t hold up once you peel back the ball’s layers, with New York potentially finding itself with less of a boost and more of a distraction.

Speaking to THE CITY, Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist at Smith College, explained why New York could end up being a no-go zone for tourists when the World Cup comes around: “Unlike host cities like Miami, which doesn’t get much tourism in the summer, NYC is a tourist destination in the summer and if New York hotel rates go so high it is a real possibility that people will decide in the summer of 2026 to go elsewhere to avoid the congestion and high prices.”

“Three billion dollars, no way”

In the case of the region hosting the World Cup, sceptics seem to also be saying that visitor numbers may not exceed what a major league playoff or concert series might already attract. With so much of the region’s economy already saturated with hospitality, leisure, and tourism, the “extra” spending may be modest. “Three billion dollars, no way,” Zimbalist claimed.

Then there’s the issue of who benefits: local small businesses might struggle to capture the value if larger national or global brands dominate the event zones. Jobs created might be temporary or low-paid rather than long-term, and public investment may offset much of the “gain” if it doesn’t lead to lasting new economic capacity.

Zohran Mamdani, the current front-runner in the race for mayor, has spoken on multiple occasions about these issues; his potential leadership of the city could well give it the boost it needs ahead of the tournament to ensure the positives are not just for the football season but remain when the circus moves on.

Of course, the official stance of the city is as positive as you could imagine: “As a global hub for tourism, entertainment, culture, and food, New York City is well-equipped to welcome all tourists, regardless of the events we are hosting,” said mayoral spokesperson Orchida Harizaj. “With approximately 125,000 hotel rooms across the five boroughs, the city is well-prepared to accommodate guests, and we remain committed to ensuring that everyone is welcomed to our city, regardless of the purpose of their visit.”

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