A forthcoming global soccer tournament is set to generate billions of dollars in consumer spending across the United States, and J.P. Morgan has leveraged its extensive payment data to map how that spend is distributed.
The analysis shows that the most valuable transactions cluster a short distance from the stadiums, with the 3‑to‑5‑mile radius capturing the largest share of off‑venue spend, accounting for roughly 27 percent of total activity outside the gates.
While the immediate vicinity of the venue records the highest volume of transactions, those sales tend to be lower‑ticket purchases, whereas ticket size climbs as distance increases, peaking at the 1‑to‑2‑mile band where the average spend outpaces the venue‑adjacent area.
International visitors from 155 countries fueled much of the uplift, particularly in hotel and dining establishments, which saw lifts of 5.6 and 5.0 percentage points respectively compared with pre‑tournament baselines.
Food and restaurant transactions surged, peaking 75 percent above baseline on a midweek day without a scheduled match, underscoring the broader event‑driven demand that extends beyond match days.
Generational patterns also emerged: Gen Z was the only cohort to exceed baseline spending within a quarter‑mile of the stadium, while Baby Boomers showed the steepest rise when moving to the 1‑to‑2‑mile zone, jumping from an index of 66 to 202.
Strategic Takeaways for Merchants
Merchants should plan inventory and staffing across the entire event window, not just on match days, and consider targeted promotions that appeal to Gen Z’s early‑stage spending and Baby Boomers’ willingness to travel slightly farther for higher‑value purchases. The data also reveal that international card transactions now represent a larger share of overall activity, suggesting opportunities for cross‑border marketing and multilingual outreach.