The Bay Area Host Committee previously estimated the region\u2019s six World Cup matches would generate between $480 million and $630 million in economic impact, with about half expected to flow to Santa Clara County, according to the San Francisco Chronicle<\/a>.<\/p>\n At The Old Spaghetti Factory in San Pedro Square, General Manager Jen Godfrey said the World Cup has brought some of the busiest days of the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely increased our business,\u201d Godfrey told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe\u2019ve benefited a lot in the alcohol sales of it all.\u201d<\/p>\n Godfrey said Mexico\u2019s matches drew some of the largest crowds, prompting the restaurant to make emergency deliveries for popular appetizers such as cheesy bread and calamari after supplies started running low. Customers also packed the patio before kickoff, with waits stretching more than two hours for outdoor seating.<\/p>\n The restaurant scheduled additional employees throughout the tournament after being caught off guard by the crowds during Mexico\u2019s opening match, when it sold out of Corona and Modelo beer.<\/p>\n At Anchors Fish & Chips inside San Pedro Square Market, team lead Hugo Salazar said different fan bases had different ordering habits. They had to prep twice as much food for watch party events.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve noticed that people for Mexico and the U.S. both consume differently,\u201d Salazar told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cMexico fans drink more, and U.S. fans tend to drink and eat.\u201d<\/p>\n The brick-and-mortar shops aren\u2019t the only ones benefiting. Street vendors are seeing steady streams of soccer fans.<\/p>\n Irais Romero, who has been selling jerseys alongside her mother outside the watch parties, said this is their first time vending during the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Mexico plays, it\u2019s so crazy,\u201d Romero told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s chaotic, but it\u2019s so good.\u201d<\/p>\n Nearby, Adrian Roman sold Team USA jerseys before Wednesday\u2019s match and said one of his favorite parts of the tournament has been seeing people from different backgrounds celebrating together.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s united,\u201d Roman told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cSoccer\u2019s a beautiful sport. Everyone\u2019s invited. We\u2019re just having a good time out here.\u201d<\/p>\n Some attendees have intentionally chosen to support local vendors while taking in the festivities.<\/p>\n Andrew Rasmussen, who lives downtown, purchased a Team USA jersey from Romero before heading to the watch party.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather have the money go to somebody around here,\u201d Rasmussen told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n The watch parties have also become a destination for returning fans. Tammy Allman Harris attended Wednesday\u2019s event with her husband and son after her husband enjoyed previous watch parties and wanted to bring the family back. Harris said they came to support their son, a die-hard soccer fan.<\/p>\n The celebrations have also presented challenges. After Mexico\u2019s knockout-round victory over Ecuador Tuesday night, San Jose police declared an unlawful assembly near San Pedro Square as crowds lingered after the match. Officers dispersed the gathering after responding to fights and other disturbances<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even with those challenges, business owners and vendors said the tournament has introduced new customers to downtown San Jose while bringing together soccer fans from across the Bay Area and beyond. For downtown businesses, the focus remains on the tournament\u2019s remaining matches and the fans who are expected to keep filling San Pedro Square throughout the rest of the World Cup.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1236-1024x768.jpeg\")
Jen Godfrey, general manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory, said alcohol and appetizer sales have increased significantly during the watch parties in downtown San Jose. Photo by Maryanne Casas-Perez.<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Woeld-Cup-2-1024x771.jpg\")
San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose was filled with fans rooting for the U.S. men\u2019s national soccer team July 1, 2026. Photo by Moryt Milo.<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/interactive-321838904008.png\")
<\/a>The World Cup\u2019s legacy could stretch beyond this summer. This week, the Bay Area Host Committee announced it will become a permanent regional sports leadership commission<\/a>, building on the momentum of the World Cup, Super Bowl 60 and the NBA All-Star Game<\/a> while pursuing future international sporting events, including a bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n