FIFA World Cup Boosts South Florida With Over 500,000 Visitors

WHO:

CBS News - Kennesaw State University President Kathy S. Schwaig emphasized the university's role in the FIFA World Cup.

CBS News - David Bennett, director of event services at Kennesaw State University, highlighted the collaborative effort across campus for the World Cup.

WSVN - Alina Hudak, President and CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee

WSVN - Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor

WSVN - Stacy Miller, CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works

WHAT:

WSVN - The FIFA World Cup 2026 in South Florida featured seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium, which was referred to as Miami Stadium during the event.

WSVN - Miami-Dade County leaders reported that the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park was a major success, transforming parks across the county into gathering places for soccer fans.

WSVN - Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated, "So many businesses did record-breaking days and weeks thanks to World Cup, but it’s not just the short term it’s the long term."

WSVN - Over 200,000 people were transported on game match shuttles, and over 830,000 people used the Metromover for the Fan Fest, according to Stacy Miller, CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works.

WSVN - Miami-Dade County leaders stated that the FIFA World Cup provided a major boost to local businesses, with many reporting record-breaking days and weeks.

WSVN - Waymo completed more than 90,000 trips to stadiums and official watch parties across six World Cup host cities.

CBS News - Waymo reported a more than 40% increase in international app activations during the World Cup, marking the highest level in its history.

TravelMole - A new study indicated that Mexico received only around 175,000 additional international tourists linked to the World Cup, significantly lower than earlier projections.

TravelMole - Hotel occupancy rates in Mexico City reached 56.5%, down 2% compared to June 2025, while Guadalajara recorded 56% occupancy, a 7% decline year over year, and Monterrey reported 53.5% occupancy, down 5.8% from the same month in 2025.

CBS News - Waymo provided more than 2,300 rides to the Downtown Miami FIFA Fan Festival during the World Cup and completed thousands of additional trips to Hard Rock Stadium.

CBS News - Waymo reported a more than 40% increase in international app activations during the World Cup, the highest level in its history.

TravelMole - A study indicated that Mexico received only around 175,000 additional international tourists linked to the World Cup, significantly lower than earlier projections.

TravelMole - The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism estimated the tournament contributed between $2.57 billion and $2.86 billion to the Mexican economy.

WSVN - A match between Argentina and Cape Verde during the World Cup went to extra time, highlighting one of the tournament's biggest moments.

CBS News - Kennesaw State University hosted training sessions for nine national teams during the FIFA World Cup.

CBS News - Over 70 KSU staff members and students supported the training sessions for the national teams.

WSVN - The FIFA World Cup drew over 500,000 visitors to South Florida.

WSVN - Seven of the 104 matches were held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

WSVN - The FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park was a major success.

WSVN - Over 200,000 people were transported on game match shuttles.

WSVN - Over 830,000 people used the Metromover for the Fan Fest.

WHERE:

CBS News - Kennesaw State University Sports and Entertainment Park was the location for the training sessions.

WSVN - South Florida, specifically Miami Gardens and downtown Miami.

WHY:

TravelMole - CNET president Antonio Cosío questioned the initial government forecasts regarding tourism, stating, "We would have to ask the government where they got that data, but it was certainly too high."

WSVN - Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated, "So many businesses did record-breaking days and weeks thanks to World Cup, but it’s not just the short term it’s the long term."

CBS News - Kennesaw State University's involvement in the World Cup demonstrated how higher education supports Georgia’s economic success.

WSVN - The event provided a major boost to local businesses, with record-breaking days and weeks reported.

WSVN - Officials believe the long-term benefits of the World Cup will continue after the event.

HOW:

WSVN - Organizers stated that local events during the FIFA World Cup resulted in many locals and visitors becoming new fútbol fans.

WSVN - Over 200,000 people were transported on game match shuttles, and over 830,000 people used the Metromover for the Fan Fest, according to Stacy Miller, CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works.

CBS News - Kennesaw State University included student employees in every facet of the World Cup operations through the student-run Night Owl program.

WSVN - Parks across the county transformed into gathering places for soccer fans.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 in South Florida saw seven matches held at Hard Rock Stadium, which was referred to as Miami Stadium during the event. Miami-Dade County leaders celebrated the success of the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park, which transformed parks across the county into vibrant gathering places for soccer enthusiasts, with over 200,000 people using game match shuttles and more than 830,000 utilizing the Metromover for the festivities. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava noted that many businesses experienced record-breaking days and weeks due to the World Cup, emphasizing the long-term benefits for the community as local events sparked new interest in fútbol among both locals and visitors.