Miami sporting events will generate an economic impact of $3 billion by 2026
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Breakwater Hospitality Group CEO Emi Guerra spoke to Fox News Digital about the city’s readiness ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Florida scores high this year, with a series of championship sporting events expected to bring billions of dollars into the economy – underscoring Miami’s rise as a global hub for sports, tourism and business.
Miami is expected to see $3 billion in economic growth by 2026 from nearly a dozen sporting events, according to the South Florida Business Journal.
The number stands out as the city will host Monday night’s College Football Playoff between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes, and President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The event alone could bring in more than $264 million.
However, the FIFA World Cup will be the real moneymaker for the city, as former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told Fox News Digital that the seven games later this year will bring in an estimated $1.5 billion.
MIAMI’S LEGACY’S NEXT MOMENT: CITY LEADERS SAY THEY ARE READY — ARE THEY?
“We are very used to having big events… After the World Cup, we will have the G-20. So it will be the biggest and most important event in the world at that time. So it is something we are used to, and we will be preparing for it,” Suarez said in October. “We are the best city in the world, and we will have the opportunity to show that.”
A general view during the national anthem before a college football quarterfinal game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images)
“I think it couldn’t have come at a better time, and I think Miami will be 100% ready. It’s coming at a time of year when Miami needs business,” Breakwater Hospitality Group CEO Emi Guerra – the brain behind establishments such as Regatta Grove, Pier 5 and The Wharf – previously told Fox News Digital. “I believe the hotels will be ready to go. I believe the restaurants and bars and anything related to hospitality, we are ready to go.”
This year’s full schedule in the Magic City includes the Orange Bowl and the NHL Winter Classic – with more to come, such as the World Baseball Classic, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, the Miami Open, the PGA Tour’s Trump National Doral event and the debut of the new Inter Miami stadium.
OutKick founder Clay Travis comments on President Donald Trump’s relationship with sports as he welcomes the Florida Panthers to the White House. to ‘Varney & Co.’
Miami does not depend on one event – the city collects financial benefits throughout the year.
“But I think what’s often missed, because it can’t be studied, is what is the long-term indirect economic benefit for Miami?” said the former Mayor. “If you think about the people who were thinking about going to Miami, now [they] visit Miami and decide, you know what? This is a great place to live.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The ‘Big Money Show’ panels weigh in on U-Haul’s ‘Growth Index’ for 2025 and move from green states to red states.
“I think that, really, it gives us the opportunity to put Miami on the map and in front of the world. It really allows people who see or hear about Miami that maybe they didn’t come, but they are amazing football fans. They come to the city, and they get to experience what they have seen in the movies or on TV, or seen in the newspapers,” commented Guerra.
“It’s a really difficult time. It’s a generational opportunity,” added Suarez. “Now you can build a company here. Now you can scale a company. You can change the world from Miami… I think our legacy will be a really great global city.”
READ MORE AT FOX BUSINESS
