{"id":374995,"date":"2026-06-25T22:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/374995\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T22:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:34:13","slug":"how-the-world-cup-is-boosting-oaklands-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/374995\/","title":{"rendered":"How the World Cup is boosting Oakland\u2019s economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a warm sunny day in June, dozens of people gathered in front of a big screen in Fruitvale with one common goal: catching the FIFA World Cup kickoff match, in which Mexico, effectively the neighborhood\u2019s home team, faced off against South Africa. It felt like a sea of green jerseys and Mexican flags had taken over the Aloha Club, and excitement and hope rippled across the large outdoor patio.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara \u2014 dubbed the San Francisco Bay Stadium by the football federation \u2014 is host to six games during the tournament, but the ripple effects on Oakland businesses are likely to last throughout the expanded 39-day tournament. Oakland small businesses have been struggling\u00a0 \u2014 as reflected in the number of vacant commercial spaces and voter approval in June of Measure C<\/a>, which offers tax breaks to new and small businesses in Oakland. So business owners \u2014 particularly the bars and restaurants showing the matches \u2014\u00a0have welcomed the infusion of f\u00fatbol energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2022, after the Raiders and the Warriors left Oakland, the Bay Area Host Committee was established to partner with local teams, civic leaders, and businesses \u201cto unite the Bay Area through sport by building pride, connecting communities, and reenergizing the entire region.\u201d It was the force behind bringing the NBA All-Star game to San Francisco in 2025, the Super Bowl LX to Santa Clara in February, and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n

The committee has estimated that the tournament will have an economic impact of $480 million to $630 million across the Bay Area. This tally includes everything from visitor spending to increased tax revenue to local governments. And some of that boost is being felt in Oakland.<\/p>\n

\u201cOaklanders have definitely caught World Cup Fever,\u201d Barbara Leslie, president of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, told The Oaklandside. \u201cThe revelry is palpable across all corners of Oakland with packed bars and restaurants, watch parties and pop-up celebrations wherever you go; building community one goal at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"People exit the MacArthur BART Station in Oakland, June 11, 2026. The station will be running late service for World Cup matches at Levi\u2019s Stadium, temporarily dubbed the San Francisco Bay Stadium. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

BART, for example, held a press conference to announce that the struggling transit agency was expecting an increase in ridership on match days similar to Super Bowl LX, when they served 30,000 extra riders. The agency has been extending its hours on late match days, with limited late night service, including to the McArthur BART station in Oakland. Unlike the bloated prices stadiumgoers are paying to ride mass transit in New Jersey and Massachusetts \u2014 as high as $98 \u2014 BART has said it will not adjust its prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kaley Skantz, a spokesperson for Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, said she expects to see a boost in travelers as well. She said the airport accommodated over 1,000 private aircraft throughout Super Bowl week and are expecting a similar turnout for the World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"A World Cup-themed beer display at a Cardenas Markets on High Street in East Oakland, June 11, 2026. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

Oakland police officers are cashing in on overtime pay<\/a>, mostly funded by state and federal grants<\/a> to the Bay Area Host Committee or by the City of Santa Clara.<\/p>\n

While some Oakland hotels were not open to speaking to The Oaklandside \u2014 the Oakland Marriott City Center said it was unable to do so, as its parent organization, Marriott Bonvoy, is an official \u201cFIFA supporter\u201d \u2014 there are signs of impact in the sector. A call to the Kissel Uptown Oakland showed that the boutique hotel was sold out on a recent Levi\u2019s Stadium match day \u2014 and the Socceroos, Australia\u2019s national team, have been practicing at the Oakland Roots and Soul training facility<\/a> in Alameda and lodging at the Claremont Hotel<\/a>, which rests on the Berkeley\/Oakland border.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Airbnb told The Oaklanside they projected $144 million in economic impact from guests across the Bay Area during the World Cup. The company even launched an incentive program<\/a> during the World Cup, offering $750 to new hosts to meet a surge in demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oakland has \u2018the best sports fans\u2019 <\/p>\n

Ashleigh Kanat, who directs Oakland\u2019s Economic & Workforce Development Department, said the city has experienced a lot of momentum thanks to the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200aWhat I am seeing is what a powerful force it is for bringing people together,\u201d she said. \u201cOakland does have the best sports fans, regardless of the sport.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Fans crowd the Oakland Athletic Club to watch a World Cup soccer match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

She said she\u2019s expecting the city\u2019s general fund to bring in tournament-related revenue from the hotel transient occupancy tax and from sales tax collected at restaurants, bars, and retail shops. The hotel tax, of 14%, goes mostly to the city\u2019s general fund, with a small share going to Visit Oakland and various arts and culture investments. The more hotels are filled, the more the city benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the Socceroos announced the Oakland Roots and Soul training facility as their official base camp for the World Cup, \u200aCouncilmember Janani Ramchandran connected with the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, which helped \u200astart a conversation with the Australian Chamber in Oakland. They partnered with Oakland\u2019s business development division to ultimately create a toolbox to help local businesses with marketing opportunities the sporting event would bring to the city, Kanat told The Oaklandside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOakland shows up, and they\u2019re really showing up for soccer,\u201d Kanat said. \u201cI\u2019m just amazed at the ability that sports has to bring people together to connect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Australia forward Cristian Volpato signs autographs for fans after an open practice at the Oakland Roots and Soul training facility, June 3, 2026, in Alameda. Credit: Godofredo A. V\u00e1squez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

Oakland\u2019s local sports teams have played a major role in creating those opportunities for connection and community. The Ballers opened up Raimondi Park for a free viewing party for Team USA\u2019s opening match on June 12. The Oakland Sports Group, which hosted the event, offered 3,000 tickets \u2014 which quickly sold out.<\/p>\n

The Oakland Sports Group \u2014 a local sporting organization anchored by the Ballers, the Roots, the Soul, Oaklandish, and the Oakland Marathon \u2014 also compiled East Bay Soccer Trail 2026<\/a>, a list of places hosting watch parties around Oakland and the East Bay. The Aloha Club<\/a> was on the list.<\/p>\n

\"\"The New Parkway movie theater is one of many Oakland venues showing World Cup matches as part of the East Bay Soccer Trail 2026<\/a>. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

Chris Jimenez has been the manager there for the past 11 years and said sales have not been the same since the pandemic. However, he said the kickoff watch party the bar hosted with fan club the Oakland 68\u2019s<\/a> \u201cwas by far the best day ever\u2026 nothing that we\u2019ve done there so far is compared to that day.\u201d He said the Aloha Club has adjusted its hours to accommodate game times, has increased staff hours, and has hired additional security for some game days.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything\u2019s been moving in a positive direction,\u201d Jimenez said, \u201cand we\u2019re just trying to keep the ball rolling.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Andrea Lepore, the senior vice president for the Oakland Roots, said the football club partnered with Jack London Oakland on Cultura FC, a two-day watch party event<\/a> in Jack London Square. Day Two runs from 2 to 10 p.m. this evening at Bloc15.<\/p>\n

Alfredo Enciso, an organizer of the event and co-founder of PUPILA, a sports branding studio, said the event \u201ccelebrates the culture around f\u00fatbol.\u201d The goal, he said, was to bring together international and local artists with the Oakland community in mind. He helped set up an art gallery<\/a> at the center of the event. \u201cRealizing that there is this other world to the sport that has to do more with culture and people and design\u2026being able to bridge the two, it\u2019s incredible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fans watch the World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa at the Neighborhood Sports Club in Oakland\u2019s Jack London Square, June 11, 2026. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

The Neighborhood Sports Club<\/a> planned its grand opening in Jack London to coincide with the launch of the World Cup. It is a unique space that combines a soccer field with a retail space, a cafe, and a bar. Oakland native Max Ornstil, one of the three co-owners and a former Oakland Roots player, said he\u2019s long wished for a space like this for Oaklanders, one that\u2019s both a football-inspired lifestyle brand and a community space.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200aOakland is a special place with special people that deserve nice places to go, and places to build community and find recreation,\u201d he said. The club had been hosting a heavy schedule of watch parties along with other f\u00fatbol-related events. On June 25 and 27 they are partnering with Offside Outlet<\/a>, a London-based brand, for a creative workshop in upcycling garments into World Cup inspired accessories. followed by a panel discussing football accessibility in the US.<\/p>\n

They also created a Neighborhood World Cup tournament featuring 16 teams that reflect the community\u2019s cultural diversity. The teams, made up of local residents, and representing nations who did not qualify for the World Cup finals, such as the Philippines, Palestine and Indigenous communities, will have a chance to compete July 2 through July 17.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200aFootball is so much more than just playing,\u201d Ornstil said. \u201cIf this World Cup can be an entry \u200apoint of seeing what this sport can give to you, then I think that\u2019s a win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The crowded patio at the Aloha Club on June 11, 2026. Credit: Godofredo Vasquez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

“*” indicates required fields<\/p>\n

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