The World Cup in New York and New Jersey, by the Numbers

The World Cup in New York and New Jersey was quantified by a major push to link the tournament to visitor growth and spending in the region. Officials forecast 1.2 million visitors and $3.3 billion in economic activity tied to the event, with eight matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey benefiting nearby New York. By the end of the competition, the host committee said it was on track to exceed expectations, citing more than 640,000 fans attending New Jersey games. It also reported that the first five games generated $1.2 billion in direct visitor spending and $2.1 billion total impact. However, skepticism surfaced from Steven Fulop of the Partnership for New York City, who said the projections were too ambitious pending a final accounting. Hotels projected $100 million to $150 million in extra revenue versus last year, below an earlier $250 million to $300 million estimate, while room revenue rose 21% from June 8 to July 4.