How the World Cup fuels soccer’s momentum in the U.S.
Record crowds at Revolution and Legacy games show the sport’s growth is here to stay
The 2026 Men’s World Cup broke attendance and viewership records, with nearly 39 million people watching the Spain-Argentina final — the highest-rated non-Super Bowl sporting event in the U.S. since the 1984 Winter Olympics. For New England Revolution president Brian Bilello, who also chaired the Boston Host Committee, it’s proof the sport has arrived.
“I don’t think there’s any question that there’s a lot of soccer fans in this country now,” Bilello said.
Thirty years of Major League Soccer helped build that base. The Revolution, one of MLS’s ten founding teams, drew a record average of more than 29,000 fans in 2024. “Our average attendance compared to the NHL or NBA is higher,” Bilello said. “In terms of that atmosphere, the noise and the excitement, it’s right there for everyone to see.”
The National Women’s Soccer League is seeing similar growth. Boston Legacy’s inaugural home opener was the highest attended in league history. Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, now in her fifth NWSL season, says recognition for women’s soccer has increased and she was often recognized off the field while playing for Kansas City.
With the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil approaching, Ivory expects the excitement surrounding women’s soccer to continue to build: “The best way to support is come out to games. It’s a great sport to watch. I promise you, you’ll be entertained in this league because it is crazy.”