Miami is preparing to take center stage as one of the host cities for the biggest sporting event in the world. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring global attention and billions of dollars in economic activity.
The city’s culture and beaches make it a natural fit for an event of this scale, but questions surrounding who benefits.
The World Cup is projected to generate around $21 billion, with roughly $1 billion potentially impacting each host city. In Miami, that promise of economic growth is already being felt through rising ticket prices, hotel rates and travel costs. There is disbelief surrounding how expensive this experience has become.
Local businesses are preparing for a surge in demand. Restaurants such as the Black Market are hiring additional staff and training employees to handle what they expect will be record-breaking crowds. Retailers, especially soccer-focused stores, are also anticipating major profits through merchandise sales. For these businesses, the event represents a rare opportunity to significantly increase revenue in a short period of time.
Not everyone stands to gain. Hosting the World Cup comes with substantial costs for local governments.
Miami-Dade County has already spent tens of millions of dollars in preparation, with additional expenses expected for public staffing and infrastructure. Police, fire and emergency services will require increased funding to manage the influx of visitors.
While the event is expected to create around 9,000 jobs, many of these positions are temporary and do not offer long-term economic stability.
This raises a critical question: Who really wins? According to investigative reporter Sasha Jones, the answer may not be clear until after the event concludes.
As she explains, “We’re not really going to know who’s winning financially until after the event. But I think during the event, you can potentially figure it out.” While businesses in hospitality and tourism are expected to benefit the most, the overall impact on the city and its residents remains uncertain.
For Ernesto Escobar, the World Cup isn’t about money but creating memories and continuing family traditions.
As Miami steps onto the global stage, the World Cup represents both opportunity and risk.
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