The final whistle has blown on the World Cup in North Texas, but officials say the region will be counting the tournament’s impact long after the last fans head home.
For Cindy Solomon, director of events and entertainment for the Dallas FIFA Fan Festival, the final day was bittersweet as fans picked up last-minute souvenirs.
“Nothing’s ever going to compare to this,” Solomon said. “You’re never going to have an event of this magnitude for this length of time.”
Fan Dorian Davis said the keepsakes would give him something to show family and friends as proof he was there.
The Dallas Sports Commission projected the World Cup would generate between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion across North Texas — a figure that includes nine matches and the events surrounding them. Solomon said tallying the final number will take time.
“When you think of the stadium, FIFA Fan Festival, all of the hotels, bars, restaurants,” she said.
Local vendors got a piece of that business, too. At Tommy G’s, which sold pizza and burgers throughout the tournament, the orders sometimes came in bulk.
“I had a customer buy 25 burgers for their whole group,” said Edgar Vasquez of Tommy G’s. “Imagine 25 burgers at 22 bucks a piece, and they still come back again the next time and order more.”
Arlington is already reporting one record. Mayor Jim Ross said hotels brought in $31 million, and that the city’s total economic impact could reach $160 million.
Ross called the impact substantial and said more information would come as the data becomes available.
The last fans are heading home, but the receipts are still coming in.