Not even Messi-mania can save Florida: This is the U.S.’s most soccer-mad state
Despite hosting seven World Cup games - and being home to Lionel Messi - Florida failed to break the top five soccer-loving states in the U.S.
In the midst of a World Cup fever that’s taking hold with greater and greater force, new cases of full‑blown soccer mania are popping up across the United States.
Major League Soccer has spent years nurturing America’s growing passion for the sport, laying the groundwork for SeatPick’s latest study: the U.S. states most obsessed with the beautiful game.
Messi’s Miami home falls short
As has been evident since 2023, “Messimania” isn’t confined to Florida. In fact, the craze burns even hotter in states like California, Washington, and New York.
It might seem impossible to stroll down Collins Avenue without running into fans wearing Inter Miami gear or jerseys from clubs around the world, but the report paints a different picture. Florida ranks only sixth among the 10 most soccer‑enthusiastic states in the country.
How did SeatPick’s study work?
Since being named one of the three host nations for the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. has seen a dramatic surge in interest around the sport - one that’s only intensified as the tournament approaches.
SeatPick’s search engine team analyzed Google data across all 50 states after noticing a staggering 5,000% increase in digital searches related to soccer - everything from ticket sales to team inquiries.
Here’s U.S.’s top-10 soccer states by Google searches, per SeatPick:
- 1. California
- 2. Massachusetts
- 3. New Jersey
- 4. Washington
- 5. Connecticut
- 6. Florida
- 7. Texas
- 8. New York
- 9. Rhode Island
- 10. Maryland
What Florida will offer for the World Cup
According to SeatPick’s study, one in every 450 Floridians regularly searches for tickets, match schedules, or standings. Seven World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in the Sunshine State, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens:
- June 15: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, Group H
- June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde, Group H
- June 24: Scotland vs Brazil, Group C
- June 27: Colombia vs Portugal, Group K
- July 3: Round of 32
- July 11: Quarterfinal
- July 18: Third‑place match
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