The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet
Summary
Fifa expects to earn $13 billion from the 2026 World Cup and its related four-year cycle, making it the most profitable sports event ever. The expansion to 48 teams and holding the tournament in the United States have helped Fifa increase revenue through TV rights, ticket sales, and new digital deals.Key Facts
- Fifa predicts $13 billion in revenue from 2023 to 2026, with almost $9 billion expected in 2026 alone.
- The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, up from 32 teams and 64 matches previously.
- Hosting the event in the U.S. significantly boosts revenue due to a large and wealthy fan market.
- TV broadcast rights are Fifa’s top revenue source, increasing from $3.1 billion in 2018 to an expected $3.4 billion+ in 2026.
- Ticket sales and hospitality income are projected to grow from $950 million in 2022 to about $3 billion in 2026.
- Fifa sold TV rights for the Women’s World Cup as a separate product for the first time during this cycle.
- New digital deals allow live streaming of the first 10 minutes of matches on platforms like TikTok and YouTube to attract younger fans.
- Fifa uses dynamic pricing for tickets, leading to concerns about high costs, including claims that a disabled fan’s ticket package could cost nearly $7,000.
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