How Philadelphia Built a $140 Million World Cup War Chest

When FIFA officials took their first site visit to Philadelphia in September 2021, they received a packet of signed pledge sheets totaling $41 million from local corporate and philanthropic donors to the local organizing committee should the city win its bid for the 2026 World Cup. It was a bold move. Private fundraising has plagued cities across the country in the lead-up to the tournament, but in Philadelphia, dozens of donors were ready before the city even had any matches.

“Philadelphia is just a unique place because people are really proud to be from here, and the civic good means something,” Meg Kane, CEO of host committee Philadelphia Soccer 26, tells Front Office Sports . By the time the first match is played on June 14 in the City of Brotherly Love, the commitments will have grown. Philadelphia Soccer 26 tells FOS its final tally for private funding will be about $60 million to $65 million, while its public funding amount will be about $77 million to $82 million.

Philadelphia’s preparedness is notable, especially because on top of six World Cup matches including one on July 4, this year the city also committed to hosting March Madness, the PGA Championship, MLB All-Star Game, and events for America’s 250th anniversary. Many host committees found it difficult to fundraise for the World Cup because FIFA strictly polices sponsorships, including by banning deals with competitors of its official partners. FIFA also controls all the activity and sponsorship at the stadiums, which is why official venue names and branding have been removed ahead of the tournament.

While each region received federal money from the Department of Homeland Security for safety and the Department of Transportation for public transit, state and city support has varied, as has private funding. Last year, the NFL’s 49ers promised to backstop the Bay Area Host Committee should it not be able to cover costs for the World Cup. In March, Boston’s host committee revealed it only had $2 million in the bank , and last month admitted it’s hard to compete with America250 for sponsorship dollars.