The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The eight matches at MetLife Stadium over 39 days in the summer of 2026 are projected to generate over $2 billion in economic impact for the Tri-State Region. The event will be viewed on television by over 1.5 billion people and provide over 14,000 jobs(1). With this monumental event, one can wonder, what does it mean for real estate in the New York Metropolitan area? With a surge of visitors for the celebrated event, factors similar to a boom in tourism, short term rental demand, infrastructure development, and overall economic growth can be analyzed.
Economists have studied the economic impacts of hosting the World Cup, and the short-term and long-term changes for the host country. For example Qatar hosted the World Cup in 2022 and saw significant short term economic growth, with a reports of $17 billion in economic activity. However in the long term, economists state that there are both positive and negative effects on the host country. Host countries experience a rise in tourism, leading to increased revenue from tourist spending. On the other hand, there is an increased cost of living due to inflation. In addition, some host countries may experience an increase in government debt due to large-scale investments in infrastructure. However, this investment could lead to better infrastructure in the future, which can ultimately benefit future generations(6).
Hosting the World Cup Final will bring significant international attention to New Jersey and the surrounding areas due to the amount of television viewers and fans visiting to watch in person. This exposure could lead to increased tourism not only during the event, but also in the years following as people become more familiar with the area, leading to a possible growth in the retail industry(2). In addition to economic effects, hosting the world cup has positive social benefits. The FIFA organization has a FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund that has previously focused on developing football in the host country of that final tournament(7). Hosting would also have a measurable “feel- good” effect on residents, 77% of whom already support hosting. Additional social benefits could include improved global perception of hosts and improved diplomatic relations within North America(8).
During this major event, the surge in demand for short-term accommodation could increase, possibly causing homeowners to capitalize on this by renting out their properties through platforms similar to Airbnb(3). This increased demand could drive up rental prices temporarily in areas close to the stadium. To put things in perspective, New Jersey has about 1,180 hotels with almost 114,000 rooms, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Hotel guests spent $13.4 billion in New Jersey in 2022. The increased demand for lodging for the world cup could drive hotel demand which franchise owners are already starting to prepare for(9).
Hosting a major event like the World Cup Final often spurs infrastructure development and improvements in transportation, hospitality, and entertainment facilities. Approximately $30 million in planning and design upgrades to the stadium and surrounding areas are already underway, as well as an additional $35 million for transportation upgrades from NJ Transit(4). These significant investments could enhance the overall appeal of New Jersey as a place to reside, potentially boosting property values in the long run.
Major events like the World Cup Final inject money into the local economy through increased spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment(5). Economists calculated that hosting a World Cup will generate $5 billion in total short-term economic activity. That is money that will be injected into the local economy and should help to boost construction and tourism sectors in particular(6). This can have a positive impact on the overall economy of New Jersey, potentially leading to job creation and higher incomes, which in turn can support the real estate market.
As we enter this exciting time for global sports and tourism, we can all look forward to the events and wonder: how much positive impact will the World Cup have on the Tri-State area? How well will Airbnb hosts, restaurant owners, and retail operators capitalize on this economic opportunity?
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