The World Cup Is Boosting Spending. Hotels, Beer And Tourism Feel It First.

The FIFA World Cup has delivered a lift to businesses in several U.S. host cities, with hotels, bars and restaurants reporting stronger traffic as millions of fans traveled across North America for the tournament.

At the same time, broader signs of consumer caution persisted across the country, as households continued to cut discretionary spending amid higher costs and lingering economic uncertainty.

The mixed picture could be seen in the Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book, released Wednesday, which provides a snapshot of economic conditions across the central bank's 12 districts. The report found that while the tournament boosted activity in select markets, overall economic growth in the United States increased only slightly since late May. CNBC reported that businesses in several districts said consumers were increasingly opting for lower-priced goods and services.

In the meantime, consumers continue to grapple with elevated energy costs following recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices climbed sharply during the Israel-Iran conflict earlier this summer before easing in recent weeks, increasing costs for transportation, travel and household budgets, according to Reuters.

Boston was among the cities that saw a noticeable World Cup-related impact. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said hotel bookings tied to the tournament were initially softer than expected, but occupancy levels eventually met forecasts after hotels lowered room rates.

Bars in the city also benefited from the influx of visitors. Several establishments reported higher beer sales during the tournament, while some reportedly ran out of stock when Scottish fans descended on Boston, according to the Beige Book and cited by CNBC.

The Boston district also recorded an increase in visitors from Canada compared with the same period last year. However, those figures remained below historical averages, particularly in coastal Maine and northern Vermont, where businesses have traditionally relied on Canadian tourism.

In New York City, restaurants and bars hosting World Cup watch parties described sales as "strong," while hotels reported higher occupancy rates and increased room prices during the event, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Not every business benefited from the surge in visitors. The New York Fed said some mid-tier attractions continued to experience softer demand, while one department store reported that increased foot traffic linked to the tournament did not translate into higher sales.

Canadian tourism also remained a concern. Cross-border travel from Canada to the United States has declined in recent months following trade disputes and political tensions between the two countries. Data released by the Canadian government showed a continued decline in return trips by Canadian residents during the first half of 2026, according to Reuters.

On the West Coast, cities tracked by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco reported elevated tourist volumes during the World Cup. Outside those host markets, however, businesses noted weaker spending on restaurants, hotels and entertainment.

"Demand for consumer and business services slowed somewhat on net," the San Francisco Fed said in the Beige Book.

Consumer spending trends remained subdued across much of the country. Several Federal Reserve districts reported that households were seeking cheaper alternatives, postponing purchases or reducing spending on nonessential items. The Beige Book also noted that rising oil prices had contributed to spending cutbacks in some regions.

The World Cup's economic footprint has been significant. Median ticket prices for tournament matches exceeded $900, according to TicketData, while host cities invested heavily in transportation, security and public infrastructure to accommodate visitors. FIFA has previously estimated that the tournament would attract millions of fans across the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to The Associated Press.

The Federal Reserve publishes the Beige Book eight times each year ahead of policy meetings, compiling anecdotal information from businesses, economists and regional contacts.