TL;DR
Despite FIFA’s $13 billion revenue from the 2026 World Cup, host cities in the U.S. are bearing heavy costs, including transportation and security. This dynamic raises questions about the true economic impact and fairness of hosting.
U.S. cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are facing significant financial burdens as they cover costs for security, transportation, and infrastructure, while FIFA reaps billions in revenue, highlighting a disparity in economic benefits.
In New Jersey, the transportation costs for World Cup attendees have sparked controversy after the state announced a $150 round-trip train fare from Midtown Manhattan to MetLife Stadium, later reduced to $105 due to donors. This fare is substantially higher than usual, with critics calling it price gouging. The fare hike is part of a broader pattern where FIFA, which will generate $13 billion from ticket sales, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights, does not share revenue with host cities, which are responsible for covering the expenses of stadium upgrades, security, and transportation.
FIFA’s profits are driven by ticket sales, merchandise, and media rights, while local governments shoulder the costs, including security and infrastructure. For example, New Jersey’s transportation authority estimates it will spend at least $48 million on fan transportation, with FIFA not contributing to these expenses. The organization expressed surprise at New Jersey’s approach, emphasizing its own substantial earnings from the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, involves multiple host cities across three nations, complicating logistics and costs for local organizers. Major American cities like Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City are receiving public funds, easing their financial strain, but many others face mounting expenses. Federal funding for security was delayed, forcing local governments to cover costs upfront, including millions for police and security measures. North American hosts are spending hundreds of millions on infrastructure, with Toronto and Vancouver allocating over $380 million and $624 million Canadian dollars, respectively.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores a fundamental imbalance: host cities incur substantial costs to host a tournament that generates enormous profits for FIFA. It raises questions about the fairness and sustainability of hosting such events, especially when taxpayers bear the financial burden while FIFA benefits financially. The controversy over transportation costs exemplifies the broader issue of local governments subsidizing a global sports enterprise.
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Background
The 2026 World Cup marks a shift from previous tournaments held in autocratic countries with state-controlled stadiums to a more complex, multi-city North American event. Past tournaments in Russia and Qatar saw FIFA exerting direct control over infrastructure, but the 2026 edition involves negotiations with democratic governments, leading to a patchwork of agreements. The event’s expansion to 48 teams has increased logistical challenges and costs for host cities, many of which rely heavily on public funding. The economic impact of the tournament remains uncertain, with studies suggesting that the expected surge in local spending is often overstated, as many visitors substitute for other tourism activities.
“FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.”
— Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Governor
“We are quite surprised by the NJ governor’s approach on fan transportation.”
— FIFA spokesperson
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear how much additional costs host cities will incur as the tournament approaches, or whether FIFA will ultimately contribute more toward local infrastructure and transportation expenses. The long-term economic impact on these cities is also still uncertain, with some experts questioning whether the event will deliver the promised economic benefits.
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What’s Next
As the tournament nears, host cities will continue to finalize infrastructure and security arrangements. Monitoring of actual spending versus projected costs will be critical, alongside ongoing negotiations between FIFA and local governments regarding funding. Public response and political pressure may influence future arrangements or reforms in hosting agreements.
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Key Questions
Why are transportation costs so high for World Cup attendees?
The high costs are partly due to FIFA’s demands for security and VIP zones, which reduce available public transit options and increase operational expenses. Local governments are passing these costs onto attendees, with some fares reaching over $100 for short train rides.
Will FIFA reimburse host cities for their expenses?
Currently, FIFA does not share revenue with host cities or reimburse them for infrastructure and security costs. The financial burden falls on local governments and taxpayers.
How much money does FIFA make from the World Cup?
FIFA is projected to generate around $13 billion from ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise, and broadcasting rights during the 2026 World Cup.
Are host cities expecting economic benefits from the tournament?
Many cities anticipate increased tourism and spending, but studies suggest that the actual economic benefits are often less than projected, with substitution effects and high costs offsetting gains.
