Overview:
Here’s what the area politicians said about the $3.5 billion impact from the World Cup.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “We proved a city can grow its economy and support working people at the same time.” (Photo courtesy of the NYC’s Mayor’s Office)
Here’s what the area politicians said about the $3.5 billion impact from the World Cup.
On Wednesday, the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee announced that World Cup 2026 generated $3.5 billion in total economic impact across the two states, exceeding the region’s original projected impact of $3.3 billion.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul
“Our mission was to welcome the world to New York, while making sure that every New Yorker had the chance to participate in and benefit from this once-in-a-generation event. And that’s exactly what we did. From increased spending at local businesses and restaurants to higher hotel revenues, the World Cup has left a lasting impact on our state. Here in New York, we want to continue to ensure that New Yorkers are reaping the benefits and joy of the World Cup by building more soccer infrastructure for our kids to play across the state.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill
“This summer, we showed the very best of New Jersey to the world, and that New Jersey, with people from every corner of the globe, is the world. I am incredibly proud that we delivered an exciting, successful World Cup,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. “Fans from around the world and around the Garden State took part in the biggest sporting event on the planet. We already know that hotel occupancy was up, more than 300,000 fans attended the 34 community grant events we brought to every part of the state, and state revenues exceeded expectations in July, when the tournament was here. From the first match through the World Cup Final, we showed that New Jersey has the infrastructure, workforce, diversity, and hospitality to bring people together and successfully host events of this scale. The impact reached far beyond the stadium, supporting local businesses, jobs, and economic activity across our state.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
“We said the World Cup belonged to New Yorkers, and the numbers back it up. $3.5 billion moved through our region, and more than 27,000 people got paid because of it – the cook in Sunset Park, the cab driver in Corona, the small business owner running the halal cart outside a watch party in Harlem. We proved a city can grow its economy and support working people at the same time.”