US World Cup Sets New Attendance Record With Over 6.8 Million Fans
WHO:
Forbes - Spain's national soccer team, represented by Rodri #16, lifted the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy.
Yahoo Sports - FIFA, the governing body of soccer, organized the World Cup.
WHAT:
CBS News - Levi's Stadium hosted six World Cup matches with a total attendance of 411,345.
CBS News - San Pedro Square and downtown San Jose recorded more than 900,000 visits during the World Cup, exceeding pre-World Cup estimates of 350,000 visits.
CBS News - Bars across San Jose and San Francisco saw a 15.6% increase in weekly visits during the World Cup compared to the same period in 2025.
CBS News - The Crossing at East Cut in San Francisco saw about 8,000 people for the final World Cup match, marking the largest event they have ever hosted.
CBS News - Bars and food trucks at the Crossing at East Cut reported a more-than 300% increase in business during June compared to the previous year.
Statista - The 2026 FIFA World Cup had a total of 308 goals scored during the tournament.
Statista - The average attendance for the 2026 World Cup was 65,490, with an occupancy rate of 99.7 percent.
Yahoo Sports - Cape Verde reached the knockout rounds of the tournament, marking a significant achievement for the nation.
Yahoo Sports - Curaçao, DR Congo, and several emerging football nations gained global attention during the tournament.
Forbes - The 2026 FIFA World Cup recorded an attendance of 6,810,966 fans, making it the most-attended FIFA World Cup in history.
Yahoo Sports - The attendance figure nearly doubled the previous record set at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Yahoo Sports - The tournament featured 48 national teams and staged 104 matches.
Forbes - The tournament contributed approximately $40.9 billion in global economic activity.
Forbes - Consumer spending across the 16 host cities increased by 6.3% year-over-year, with a 16.7% increase in spending by non-local visitors.
WHERE:
Forbes - The tournament was hosted across 16 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle in the U.S.; Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey in Mexico; and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
Yahoo Sports - The final match took place at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
WHEN:
Yahoo Sports - The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match occurred on July 19, 2026.
Yahoo Sports - A semi-final match between France and Spain took place on July 14, 2026.
WHY:
Forbes - The tournament's multi-country hosting aimed to enhance continental unity and collaboration among the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
HOW:
Forbes - FIFA Fan Festivals attracted over 5.5 million visitors, providing free public viewing experiences beyond ticket holders.
Yahoo Sports - Supporters from various countries, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain, France, and Morocco, traveled to attend the matches.
Levi's Stadium hosted an impressive six World Cup matches, drawing a total attendance of 411,345 fans. Meanwhile, San Pedro Square and downtown San Jose experienced a surge in popularity, recording over 900,000 visits during the tournament, far surpassing pre-World Cup estimates of 350,000. Additionally, bars and food trucks at the Crossing at East Cut in San Francisco reported a staggering 300% increase in business during June, with around 8,000 people attending the final match, marking it as their largest event ever.