In a first for football, all eyes are on the 2026 World Cup, not only because it will be the first edition held in three different countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), but also because of the astronomical financial figures it is expected to generate. A recent report by Sport Value, a firm specializing in sports economics, revealed that total revenues from the upcoming World Cup will reach $10.9 billion, representing an unprecedented economic boom that will reshape the global sports investment landscape.
Standard comparison with previous versions
The report explained that these projections represent a massive leap of 56% compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which generated $7 billion in revenue and was considered the most financially successful at the time. The stark contrast is also evident when compared to the 2018 Russia World Cup, whose revenues reached only $5.3 billion. These figures confirm that the upcoming tournament will be a goldmine for FIFA and the host nations.
Returns details: Broadcasting and marketing take center stage
According to the financial analysis, these record profits are distributed across several vital sectors, with television broadcasting rights leading the way, and their revenues are expected to exceed $4.2 billion, an increase of 24% over the 2022 version. As for the marketing and sponsorship sector, it is expected to generate an estimated income of $2.8 billion, achieving a remarkable growth rate of 59%, driven by the great interest of global companies in the huge North American market.
Tickets and hospitality equivalent to 6 tournaments combined
The biggest surprise revealed by the report lies in the ticketing and hospitality sector, where revenues from this item alone are expected to reach $3 billion. To illustrate the enormity of this figure, the report pointed out that it is equivalent to the combined ticket revenue of the previous six World Cups. This is primarily attributed to the enormous capacity of stadiums in the United States (NFL stadiums), coupled with high purchasing power and the prices of luxury hospitality packages in North America.
Impact of increased national teams and infrastructure
It is worth noting that this massive increase in revenue is closely linked to FIFA's decision to expand the tournament to 48 teams from 32, which translates to an increase in the number of matches from 64 to 104. This expansion provides greater opportunities for selling broadcasting rights and tickets. Furthermore, the host countries benefit from existing, well-developed sports infrastructure, reducing construction costs compared to previous editions and allowing for a greater focus on maximizing operational and tourism profits, making the 2026 World Cup a landmark event in the economic history of sports.
