FIFA Set to Earn $10.9 Billion from World Cup While Host Cities See No Ticket or Sponsorship Revenue

FIFA is projected to generate $10.9 billion in revenue from the World Cup, representing a 56% increase compared to the previous tournament. However, host cities and their stadiums receive no direct financial benefit from ticket sales or sponsorship deals associated with the event. Despite this significant revenue disparity, cities continue to engage in intense bidding competitions to host the World Cup, driven by expectations of broader economic benefits and global visibility. The selection process involves substantial infrastructure investments, including multimillion-dollar stadium upgrades and facility enhancements that place considerable financial burden on host municipalities. Bloomberg's analysis examines the mechanisms behind FIFA's host city selection process, exploring the motivations that drive cities to pursue hosting rights despite the unequal distribution of direct World Cup revenues.