• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 29, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Qatar World Cup Fans On Pace for Record Spending 

  • Spending at the World Cup is already 89% of the 2018 tournament in Russia.
  • That's despite low visitor numbers and restricted beer sales.
World-Cup-Qatar
FIFA

Qatar’s World Cup has made its fair share of headlines — and not always positive ones. 

But as the tournament enters the quarterfinals, the 2022 edition is already showing a bright side: Fans are on pace to surpass spending totals from each of the last two tournaments. 

Despite a ban on in-stadium alcoholic beverage sales — which surprised both fans and World Cup sponsor Budweiser two days before the first game — fans have already spent 89% of what they did in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, according to official payment provider Visa.

Fans have already passed the spending levels seen in Brazil in 2014 — and FIFA officials project the World Cup’s current four-year revenue cycle to surpass the $5.4 billion it made in Russia in 2018.

Fans outside stadium during World Cup match between the United States and the Netherlands

Qatar Now Wants to Host 2036 Olympics 

Qatar wants to leverage the infrastructure built for this year’s World Cup.
December 5, 2022

Less Than Expected

In what is simultaneously a disappointment and relief for the host country, the number of visitors to the tournament has been far lower than initially expected.

A report prepared by a government committee found that the country has welcomed 765,859 international visitors over the first two weeks, per Reuters.

  • The country expected 1.2 million visitors over the month-long tournament.
  • With eight games remaining, more than half the people who came for the World Cup have already left, and the country doesn’t expect a large influx of new arrivals.
  • The report tabulated 1.3 million match-ticket holders and 3.1 million tickets sold.

With the World Cup centered in Doha, a city of roughly 2.4 million people, accommodations have been tight — fans have stayed in desert tents, shipping containers, cruise ships, and in neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Spring Football’s Big Bet: An Unlikely TV Marriage, and Crazy Rules

The United Football League launches this weekend on ESPN and Fox.

MLB Looks to Return Focus to the Field After Turbulent Offseason

The league aims to turn the page after grappling with several difficult problems this winter.

Leonsis Makes Stunning Turn Back to D.C., Will Renovate Capital One Arena

D.C. to spend $515 million on venue renovations as the Virginia plan is now dead.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
DraftKings

DraftKings Trends Toward the Black, Buys Lottery App

The sports gambling giant continues to narrow its losses.
February 7, 2024

ESPN DTC to Debut by Fall 2025, but Streaming Alliance Hastens Market Entry

Date set for stand-alone version of network, but new joint venture will beat that by a year.
Exterior of Nike Company Store
February 16, 2024

Nike to Lay Off 2% of Its Workforce in Cost-Savings Effort

The sportswear giant hinted at staff cuts in a December earnings call.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
January 22, 2024

They Make Sports Balls—and They Could Be Worth Almost $9 Billion

Amer Sports looks to raise as much as $1.8 billion in the public markets.
A view of a FanDuel sportsbook location.
January 18, 2024

FanDuel Strengthens U.S. Dominance Ahead of NYSE Debut

Flutter posts strong financial results as NYSE shares are set to debut Jan. 29.
The swoosh logo at Nike Eugene.
September 28, 2023

Nike Misses Revenue Wall Street’s Projections, But Company’s Stock Soar

The company offset the shortfall by exceeding expectations in earnings per share.
The PGA Tour and PIF have a self-imposed Dec. 31 deadline to finalize their golf merger.
August 7, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s PIF Aims Higher With Launch of Sports-Focused Investment Company

The PIF has launched a new company, SRJ Sports Investments.