Consumer Spending on Live Sports Rises Post-Pandemic
Recent insights from the Bank of America Research Institute indicate that consumer spending on live sporting events has noticeably surged beyond pre-pandemic levels.
David Tinsley, a senior economist at the Bank of America Institute, shared in a Fox Business interview that consumers are increasingly focused on live experiences. Notably, attendance at sporting events and concerts has been climbing steadily since the pandemic.
Tinsley elaborated, saying, “There was quite a buzz around events like Taylor Swift’s ‘ERAS Tour’ and similar live performances. Interestingly, spending on sporting events itself has actually outpaced other forms of live entertainment.”
The Bank of America Institute’s analysis, utilizing data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, revealed a 25% increase in consumer spending on live sports since 2019. Attendance numbers at these events have risen, contributing significantly to this uptick in spending.
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According to reports, consumer spending on live sports has risen by 25% when compared to 2019, with localities around venues like Yankee Stadium seeing the benefits.
This analysis leveraged extensive, anonymized credit card data, focusing on ZIP codes and expenditures during sporting events to gauge their local economic impact. It included assessments of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and contrasted one-off events with recurring seasonal activities.
Tinsley noted, “We observed a significant increase in spending within ZIP codes where Club World Cup games were held. Year over year, spending in those areas rose about 7%, peaking at 10% at times.” He pointed out that this surge was mainly driven by consumer spending, which also includes increased expenses on parking, food, and beverages. For instance, during the Club World Cup games held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, spending aligned closely with the timing of those events.
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There was a similar trend observed in MLB games, with spending around Yankee Stadium increasing by roughly 25% compared to the offseason, and Citifield in Queens noted an increase of around 29%. Much of this growth in spending can be linked to food and beverage purchases, as evidenced by a stunning 76% rise at Yankee Stadium and 66% at Citifield.
When the Mets and Yankees faced off in this year’s “Metro Series,” average daily spending near Yankee Stadium nearly doubled, surging by 60% compared to the previous year’s monthly average.
Tinsley commented, “We found the most significant impacts in places like St. Louis and Boston, with spending around 60%. It’s somewhat difficult to pinpoint the contributions specifically from the games versus other local activities.”
World Cup 2026 Set to Boost Local Economies
Looking beyond regular seasonal events, the upcoming FIFA World Cup is anticipated to greatly impact the economies of host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The competition will see teams from 48 countries engaging in 104 matches across various stadiums, with eleven venues in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada set to host.
Tinsley remarked that it’s expected to have a considerable effect, given the high profile of the World Cup, especially in comparison to the Club World Cup.
The last time the US hosted this event was in 1994, and its return is projected to stimulate substantial economic activity. An analysis from the Bank of America Institute found estimates by FIFA and the World Trade Organization predicting that the 2026 tournament could enhance the economy by around $17 billion and support jobs for up to 185,000 individuals.
