World Cup lifts US consumer spending 6.3% to four-year high

The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered the strongest US consumer spending growth in four years, with host cities capturing outsized gains at restaurants and retail stores.

US consumer spending rose 6.3% in June from a year earlier, the fastest pace in more than four years, as the World Cup drove discretionary outlays at restaurants and bars in host cities, according to Bank of America internal card data.

"The World Cup scored big for consumer spending in June," Joe Wadford, an economist at the Bank of America Institute, said. "Bank of America card spending showed healthy improvement toward the end of the month, due in part to a lift from the World Cup."

Excluding gasoline, total card spending climbed 5.6%. Restaurants in World Cup host cities saw spending rise two percentage points after the tournament began June 11, while dining spending was flat in all other US cities. Brick-and-mortar retail excluding restaurants also posted gains in host cities, while non-restaurant retailers elsewhere saw slower spending growth once the tournament began.

The data suggest the tournament is funneling spending into local economies rather than dispersing it nationally. "From packed stadiums to busy restaurants, the World Cup created a tailwind for the economy," Wadford said. "To me, this is a particularly positive story, as it suggests that a major portion of World Cup-generated spending stayed in the community."

Lower-income households provided the biggest boost to World Cup-related spending, the data show. All income groups increased spending at brick-and-mortar restaurants after the tournament began, but younger, lower-income consumers drove the largest gains. "Some of this is due to the fact that younger households skew lower income, and they were likely the main ones going out to celebrate this generational event," Wadford said. "But some of the boost is due to this broader story of an improving economy for lower-income households. For example, we're seeing a stronger labor market and higher wage growth, which in turn is helping to boost spending for lower-income families."

The spending surge comes as the broader US economy shows signs of resilience. Nonfarm payrolls have averaged 172,000 per month over the past three months, above the roughly 100,000 breakeven rate estimated by the Atlanta Fed, while wage growth has outpaced inflation for six consecutive months. The combination of a strong labor market and falling gasoline prices — which declined about 8% in June from a year earlier — freed up disposable income for discretionary spending tied to the tournament.

The World Cup's impact extended beyond the 16 host cities across the US, Canada and Mexico. Hotels and short-term rentals saw rate-driven gains during the tournament, though international visitor volumes fell short of earlier industry expectations, according to travel industry data. US airlines reported little measurable boost from the event.

With the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the spending tailwind may persist through month-end. The Bank of America data covers only June, but early July card spending trends will determine whether the World Cup effect extends into the third quarter. Consumer discretionary stocks, particularly in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, stand to benefit if the momentum continues.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.