World Cup 2026 Will Deliver Massive Commercial Benefits for the Host Nations

The 2026 World Cup will deliver massive commercial benefits to each of the host nations. Read on as we analyse how Canada, United States and Mexico will capitalise on the prestigious tournament.

Canada: A Betting Boom Turned Commercial Engine

Canada changed the federal amendments that allowed single-event betting four years ago and that shift will trigger a wagering boom in 2026. The sportsbook operators featured on comparison platform BettingTop10.ca contribute to an industry which is already worth more than $4.1 billion.

Betting revenue is expected to more than double by 2030 as the market continues to mature, and the World Cup will play a massive role in that explosion.

Major tournaments traditionally generate a spike in account sign-ups, and supercharge in-play betting in match outcomes and micro-markets.

Canada is already recording large wagering volumes, with Ontario alone reportedly taking about $1.9bn in sports wagers in a single quarter.

Operators will shell out millions of dollars to acquire customers and secure sponsorship during tournaments, boosting advertising revenues for broadcasters.

Local commercial partners will use the World Cup tie-ins to cross-promote their goods, services and experiences, increasing average revenue per user (ARPU).

The government and provinces will secure revenue from taxing betting revenue and tourism spending, thus boosting the economy.

United States: Sponsorship, Hospitality and the Premium Media Market

The US will take corporate activation to a whole new level, thanks to its scale of premium hospitality, sponsorship and media monetisation.

Capitalising on its prowess in these three areas, the US plans to convert World Cup viewership into mouth-watering commercial returns.

The host cities are renowned commercial ecosystems built with high-end corporate boxes, brand zones and hospitality packages, commanding premium ticket prices.

General admission tickets are in four categories, with those for the first match in the US costing between $560 and $2,235. By contrast, tickets for the opening match at Qatar 2022 cost between $55 and $618. The cheapest ticket for the 2026 final costs $2,030 and the most expensive is $6,000.

Media rights and sponsorship also scale differently in the US. American broadcasters and streaming platforms will package the World Cup across linear, digital and OTT channels.

They can also leverage gambling partnerships, branded content and embed e-Commerce to convert the audience into advertising and subscription revenues.

Corporate sponsors understand that this tournament is a window to reach domestic consumers and international customers. US host cities have the infrastructure to use that interest to secure long contracts for local hospitality suppliers, hotels and service providers.

The US’ commercial playbook has prioritised premium inventory. While they may sell fewer seats due to the high prices, they can monetise global broadcasts like no other through sponsorships and more.

Mexico: Tourists, Tax Policy and Infrastructure as Revenue Multipliers

Mexico’s commercial wins will likely rest on volume and policies. FIFA has estimated that Mexico will welcome millions of visitors from every corner of the globe.

Some local estimates posit that more than 5.5 million international visitors will pass through Mexico, and their economic impact could be worth billions of US dollars.

Hotels, airports, retail, food and beverage, and other important pillars in Metropolitan regions will enjoy increased revenue when the country hosts matches.

Mexico has used fiscal and infrastructure levers to secure immediate revenue, with reports showing that the country is offering tax exemptions for tournament-linked designated entities.

This commercial trade-off is expected to encourage the private sector by reducing transaction friction and lowering the cost of delivering for the event.

The policy will increase the volume of commercial contracts and incentivise international promoters to stage events such as fan festivals, expanding the local economic footprint.

Mexico has also invested in refurbishing airport terminals and rail links to improve visitor experience, encouraging them to stay and boosting spending per trip.

The fact that Mexico is only hosting the games in three cities allows the country to focus commercial activities on places where it produces the most marginal returns.

There are certainly risks involved with this model, but the upside from tourist flow and tax posturing is immediate and sizeable.