On the eve of South Florida’s final FIFA World Cup match, tourism officials and business owners are eager to tally what they expect will be a major boost to their revenue and the region’s economy.
When Hard Rock Stadium hosts the third-place match on Saturday in Miami Gardens, it will mark the end of the World Cup’s seven-game run through South Florida. Stars have filled the field — and the stands — for weeks at the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, while visitors have spent money throughout the region.
As one of the tournament’s 16 host cities, Miami welcomed millions of visitors from around the globe while showcasing its practice facilities, attractions and businesses to an international audience. Experts believe that exposure will generate lasting benefits well beyond Saturday’s final whistle. France will play England in the Miami finale at 5 p.m. ET Saturday.
Economic projections estimate Miami will generate approximately $1.3 billion in revenue from the World Cup as international visitors increase demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation services and local entertainment. Last Friday at loanDepot Park, when the Miami Marlins hosted the Cleveland Guardians, hundreds of English soccer fans filled the outfield rotunda the day before their country played in the World Cup quarterfinals in Miami Gardens.
But the influx hasn’t been limited to large businesses. Smaller businesses throughout Miami have also benefited from the city’s time in the global spotlight.
Gabe Gabor, an FIU professor and senior international communications consultant for Major League Soccer, had the opportunity to work at the World Cup this summer. He believes South Florida offered one of the tournament’s strongest host-city experiences.
“South Florida is probably the best host city when it comes to hotel stays, food and beverage spending, travel and things like that,” he said.
Gabor said Miami’s established tourism industry, boosted further by the World Cup during the summer months, provided a strong foundation for the event. Its infrastructure and attractions created an enormous opportunity to capitalize on the tournament, with millions of people traveling to the region. Even visitors who didn’t attend matches participated in fan festivals and soccer-centered events throughout the area.
However, Gabor believes the tournament’s biggest impact may come after the World Cup ends. Beyond the visitors who traveled to South Florida, millions of television viewers were introduced to Miami and its collection of beaches, skylines and multicultural neighborhoods.
“How about, not the millions, but billions of people around the world who saw Miami’s stadium, the opening montage images of South Beach and said, ‘Hey, that’s a place I want to visit,'” Gabor said.
That international exposure could continue driving tourism for years, encouraging travelers to visit Miami and companies to consider the city for future events.
Local business owner Javier Ruiz said the World Cup has significantly helped his Miami food truck. He told Caplin News that broadcasting the matches outside his truck attracted customers looking for a place to enjoy both the games and a meal.
“The World Cup has brought in way more customers than the regular,” Ruiz said. “Business has been amazing, and the experience too, how people enjoy my food while also watching the game makes it all the more cool if you ask me.”
The World Cup represented more than a month of international soccer. For Miami, it was an opportunity to showcase itself to the world just as the athletes were doing on the pitch.
