World Cup Sparks Economic Insights for Fort Worth and Philly

WHO:

Fort Worth Report - Jennifer Wichmann, deputy city manager for Arlington; Drew Hays, executive director at the Fort Worth Sports Commission; Anette Landeros, chief strategy officer at Trinity Metro; Michael E. Nalley, director of hospitality management at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Inquirer.com - George Diemer, sports economist at Temple University; Saloni Tandon, director of research and analytics at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia; Heather Redfern, spokesperson for Philadelphia International Airport; Jazmin Kay, head of public affairs for Pennsylvania at Uber; Annie Allman, CEO of Reading Terminal Market.

WHAT:

Fort Worth Report - The Cowtown Coliseum set a record by selling 55,000 rodeo tickets over 39 days.

Fort Worth Report - Fort Worth welcomed 3 million visitors during the World Cup.

Inquirer.com - Center City hotels experienced a 50.3% increase in revenue during the World Cup matches compared to the same dates in 2025.

Inquirer.com - The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that hotels saw a 50.3% increase in revenue compared to the same dates in 2025.

Inquirer.com - Reading Terminal Market saw a 13% year-over-year increase in June foot traffic, with over 30,000 customers on June 19, setting a five-year record for Friday visitation.

Fort Worth Report - The Cowtown Coliseum sold 55,000 rodeo tickets over 39 days, setting a record.

Fort Worth Report - Trinity Metro's route to Buc-ee's generated $13.4 million in earned media value.

Inquirer.com - Philadelphia's fan festival attracted 575,304 attendees.

Inquirer.com - Short-term rentals in Philadelphia generated $38.3 million over the tournament window, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Inquirer.com - Center City hotel occupancy on game days increased around 3%, with a 50.3% revenue increase compared to the same dates in 2025.

Fort Worth Report - The World Cup in North Texas was projected to generate between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in economic impact and attract over 100,000 visitors daily.

Fort Worth Report - Fort Worth saw a 23% increase in hotel revenue, totaling approximately $63.1 million over a 35-day period.

Fort Worth Report - More than 40,000 passengers used World Cup public transportation.

Fort Worth Report - The Fort Worth Stockyards welcomed 1.8 million visitors during the tournament, a 44.7% increase from the same period the previous year.

Inquirer.com - The World Cup was projected to bring $770 million to Pennsylvania in gross revenue.

Inquirer.com - The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia estimated that $30 million to $90 million would actually stay in Philadelphia.

Inquirer.com - Center City hotels experienced a 50.3% increase in revenue during the World Cup matches compared to the same dates in 2025.

Inquirer.com - Short-term rentals in Philadelphia generated $38.3 million over the tournament window, a 25% increase from the previous year.

WHERE:

Fort Worth Report - North Texas, Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas.

Inquirer.com - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specifically Lincoln Financial Field.

WHEN:

Fort Worth Report - The World Cup matches occurred over a 35-day span.

Inquirer.com - The World Cup matches in Philadelphia took place in June and July 2026.

WHY:

Fort Worth Report - The event was seen as a significant opportunity for economic development and hospitality in the region.

Inquirer.com - Organizers projected high revenue to boost local economies and tourism.

HOW:

Inquirer.com - Uber created event-rider surcharges near venues, with 100% of those surcharges paid directly to drivers, leading to increased rides to bars by 18% on World Cup game days.

Inquirer.com - Uber created event-rider surcharges near venues, with 100% of those surcharges paid directly to drivers.

Fort Worth Report - Trinity Metro approved a contract of up to $6 million to lease as many as 40 buses a day for transportation.

Inquirer.com - SEPTA and rideshare services managed increased traveler volumes during the World Cup, with Uber onboarding more drivers and creating event-rider surcharges.

The Cowtown Coliseum has set an impressive record by selling 55,000 rodeo tickets over a span of 39 days. Meanwhile, Fort Worth welcomed a staggering 3 million visitors during the World Cup, which also led to a remarkable 50.3% increase in hotel revenue in Center City compared to the same dates in 2025. Additionally, Reading Terminal Market experienced a 13% year-over-year increase in foot traffic in June, with over 30,000 customers on June 19, marking a five-year record for Friday visitation.