Local businesses are seeing revenue surges thanks to the World Cup

As international soccer fans enjoy the novelties of American culture during the World Cup, small businesses and host cities are reaping the benefits.

According to new data from fintech company Square, analyzed between June 11 and June 27, cities hosting World Cup games are seeing a major lift in transactions since the tournament kicked off. Among the cities hosting games, Boston has seen transactions increase 28%, Philadelphia 23%, Seattle 21.8%, and New York/New Jersey 18.5%.

The data shows that bars and breweries have experienced a revenue lift of 8% during the group stage, with an over 20% increase in transactions during late-night hours (specifically between 10pm and 1am). Among these businesses, the following purchases have seen an uptick:

• Food orders increased 13.6%, with burgers seeing a 11.6% lift and ranch dressing sales increasing by 11.5%.
• Nonalcoholic drinks and mocktail sales grew 11.8%, while beer sales increased 8.8%.
• Soda sales grew by 11.1%.

Full-service restaurants saw a similar increase in revenue with a 3.5% jump in sales and in quick-service restaurants 3.1%.

“The world’s biggest football tournament coming to North America is more than a global sporting event, it’s a meaningful economic moment for local businesses,” said Alex Fisher, global head of revenue at Block, Square’s parent company, in a press release.