World Cup Final: Who’s the Real Winner?

This Sunday, one of either Spain or Argentina will take home the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium. But, a more complex question emerges: who will truly benefit economically? Will New York’s economy thrive, or struggle?

It’s a bit complicated, to say the least.

As sports economists suggest, the large-scale economic surge that was expected for the U.S. seems unlikely, at least not in the immediate way many had hoped.

New York, as the host city, has had mixed results. Sure, some companies have seen their profits soar, but the real windfall has gone to FIFA.

The average ticket price for the finals soared to a whopping $11,327, marking a new record in U.S. history. For comparison’s sake, the previous high was $9,411 during Super Bowl III in 2024, and outside of that event, it was $6,308 for a game between the Knicks and Spurs.

In the event of an Argentina vs. Spain match, those figures would be significantly overshadowed.

However, FIFA monetizes the event on a global scale, with host cities and local authorities shouldering the bulk of the financial burden. While local establishments—think bars and restaurants—may have seen a temporary boost, that’s all expected to taper off after the game.

“FIFA is clearly focused on maximizing their profits, and there’s no denying that. It’s their prerogative, after all. No one forced us to host this,” noted Dr. Mark Rosentraub, who heads the Michigan Sports Venue and Real Estate Development Center.

He added, “New York could still attract a solid number of visitors regardless of the World Cup. That said, some tourists who initially planned to visit during the event are opting out due to the high costs and throngs of people. So we’re essentially trading one experience for another.”

Hotels in the Big Apple typically have occupancy rates hovering above 90% during summer. For the World Cup, Dr. Rosentraub estimates those rates could surge to around 96% or 97%.

“But with so many tourists flocking in, various alternatives are emerging,” he continued. “While thousands of Argentine fans will certainly be in town this weekend, the question remains: how many from Argentina will actually show up? I mean, Manhattan is a party place, and it would have been crowded regardless of the game.”

Consumer spending seems to be on the rise, yet the costs of infrastructure, security, and transportation have generally fallen on taxpayers.

“Hosting the World Cup is indeed a significant honor,” said James Kirkos, President of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce. “However, I’m not sure it translates into big profits for the stadium, considering the hefty costs involved in meeting FIFA’s numerous requirements.”

The atmosphere has certainly shifted, with fewer typical tourists taking the place of soccer fans, which in turn limits profit potential.

In some areas, price gouging backfired, leading to hotel rates skyrocketing to 500% above average, forcing many to slash their prices. Consequently, the New York City Hotel Association significantly revised its revenue projections from $200 million down to $100 million due to disappointing bookings.

Dr. Rosentraub observed, “They’re obliged to present the numbers that they need to. The profits won’t align with FIFA’s grand claims, but that’s okay. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. The buzz social media has created in the past month? Unmatched.”

That said, the impact of hosting such a prominent event lingers on.

“Everyone involved feels like a winner. It’s remarkable how many conversations have sparked around the joy of being in America,” Dr. Rosentraub said. “That word-of-mouth benefit is priceless—something we couldn’t have bought if we tried.”

Is it worth the cost? Maybe, but that’s still an open question.

“From the very start, we’ve claimed this World Cup belongs to New Yorkers, and I think we’ve proven that this summer,” Mayor Zoran Mamdani remarked. “Across the city, people who started as strangers became neighbors, thanks to outdoor festivities and shared experiences.”

“Even after the confetti settles, we will continue to cherish this summer—fostering safer streets, quicker buses, stronger communities, and those memories when the world felt at home here.”