The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States reached unprecedented attendance despite the Trump administration’s strict travel ban and skyrocketing ticket prices. This information was revealed in a Reuters analysis based on FIFA data, The total attendance in the first 44 matches of the tournament exceeded 2.85 million and the average stadium attendance reached 99.6 percent. According to experts, The huge response from sports fans isn’t just an indicator of Americans’ passion for soccer, Rather, it is a reflection of their intense attraction to big events.
A total of 104 matches will be held in this World Cup against the previous 64 matches. However, the tournament’s 64th pre-match attendance is on course to break the all-time record. The previous record was set at the 1994 World Cup in the United States with an attendance of nearly 3.6 million. According to Victor Matheson, an economist and sports business expert at the College of the Holy Cross, One of the reasons for this record attendance is the large stadiums in the United States. than any World Cup this century, Except for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, This is the highest occupancy rate of the stadiums.
For the first time, FIFA has adopted a demand-driven variable model of ticket pricing. such as, Last minute tickets for the match between Paraguay and Australia cost $450. On the other hand,The average minimum ticket price in the resale market has reached as high as $798 The pricing policy has drawn criticism, but a FIFA spokesman clarified that it reflects market demand and is an attempt to optimize sales. FIFA made 130,000 tickets available at $6, according to Dan Rashner, a sports economics expert at the University of San Francisco., Americans love big events and they are part of world class events‘They want to be. Nielsen Eye Cure May‘ The month’s report also noted that as consumers have become more cost-conscious, they don’t hesitate to spend money on such big events. According to another June report from Nielsen, Americans are more interested in Mexico’s Liga MX than the US domestic Major League Soccer.
Haiti as a result of the Trump administration’s travel ban and strict immigration policies, Sports fans from countries like Iran and Senegal face barriers to coming to the United States. Oxford‘According to a report by RD Economics, international tourist arrivals to the United States fell by 5.7 percent last year. There will be no other administration, commented expert Victor Matheson‘The number of international tourists in the country is more than this‘They would take it. Despite these odds, a FIFA spokesperson revealed that more than 3.5 million people have already attended the tournament’s fan festival. Previously, 7.7 million people attended the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 5.5 million people attended the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. FIFA is forecasting more than $3 billion in ticket and hospitality revenue from this year’s World Cup. In 2022, the amount was $949 million and in 2018, $712 million. According to expert Matheson, revenue could reach $4 billion this year.
“This World Cup will be one of the greatest and most amazing events in human history,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said.‘b. He noted that President Donald Trump is focused on providing the safest and most secure experience in history for all fans and visitors. University of South Kerr‘According to Liner sports management professor John Grady, The 2028 World Cup will be held in Los Angeles‘The United States sent a positive message to the world about its capabilities and preparations for the upcoming Summer Olympics.