Source: Fortune
Summary
Several major US cities with passionate sports fanbases, including Phoenix, Detroit, and Chicago, will not be hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup games despite being considered sports meccas. The cities dropped their bids or were not selected due to concerns over the financial burden and demands made by FIFA, the tournament’s governing body. Cities that did secure hosting rights, such as Kansas City, are expected to face significant costs, including infrastructure expenses and security costs.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in 11 US host cities, but some of the country’s most sports-crazed cities are noticeably absent. Phoenix, Detroit, and Chicago, which have all hosted major sporting events before, will not be hosting any games. FIFA’s demands and lack of transparency on financial issues led to several cities dropping their bids or not being selected. The costs of hosting the tournament are expected to be high, with cities facing infrastructure expenses, security costs, and potential losses.
The announcement sounds familiar, as cities that have hosted mega-events in the past have often struggled to break even, with spending on infrastructure and security ending up as sunk costs.
