business
World Cup spending surge surprises economists, boosts local economies across U.S. host cities
By Peter Zampa at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 18, 2026
· 2 min read
NEW YORK CITY (Gray DC) - The FIFA World Cup has delivered an economic boost to businesses across the United States. Data from the Bank of America Institute suggests each of the 11 host cities have seen increased spending during the tournament.Joe Wadford, an economist with Bank of America Instit...
Key takeaway Joe Wadford, an economist with Bank of America Institute, said last month credit and debit card spending was up 6.
Why this matters in The Midland
The economic boost from the FIFA World Cup is a welcome development for Midland businesses, which have been looking to diversify their revenue streams beyond the oil and gas industry. As one of the major cities in the Permian Basin, Midland's economy is closely tied to the regional market, and any increase in spending in nearby host cities could have a ripple effect locally. The surge in spending at brick-and-mortar retailers and restaurants is particularly noteworthy, as these types of businesses are integral to Midland's downtown area and community events. While Midland is not a host city itself, the tournament's impact on regional travel and tourism could still benefit local hotels, restaurants, and other service providers. As the full economic impact of the tournament becomes clearer, Midland business owners and city officials will be watching closely to see how they can capitalize on the momentum and attract more visitors to the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NEW YORK CITY (Gray DC) - The FIFA World Cup has delivered an economic boost to businesses across the United States. Data from the Bank of America Institute suggests each of the 11 host cities have seen increased spending during the tournament.Joe Wadford, an economist with Bank of America Instit...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Peter Zampa at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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