How Philadelphia Small Businesses can Grow from the FIFA World Cup 2026
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
How Philadelphia Businesses can Prepare for the World Cup
The FIFA World Cup comes to Philly this month, with the first match set for June 14. This means we'll have a ton of new people in the area, making it a fantastic opportunity to build connections and expand your brand's reach. As the city celebrates with a 39-day FIFA Fan Festival, be sure your Philadelphia small business joins in on the festivities. Not sure where to start? Keep reading for our simple tips on how your brand can prepare for the World Cup.
1) Philadelphia Local Businesses Should Target New Audiences
One of our favorite things about owning a small business in Philly is the ability to connect with our community directly. Over time, we build strong bonds with neighbors and clients, allowing us to better cater to their needs, preferences, and personalities. However, with the impending rapid influx of non-local consumers, Philadelphia small business owners will need to adjust their marketing strategies to appeal to both their Philly-area community and FIFA World Cup 2026 visitors. Don't worry--even if your brand isn't soccer-adjacent, this doesn't mean your audiences don't overlap. Soccer fans worldwide are known for passion and dedication to their teams, so incorporating participating team colors, flags, and/or imagery is a great way to pique their interest. Be sure to consider the fan demographics for the matches that will be held specifically in Philly: Côte d'Ivoire vs. Ecuador, Brazil vs. Haiti, France vs. Iraq, Curaçao vs. Côte d'Ivoire, and Croatia vs. Ghana.
2) Ramp Up Marketing with Soccer Tie Ins
A huge event like the World Cup creates huge marketing opportunities for Philadelphia small businesses. Thankfully, there are many simple ways to incorporate the event into a specialized marketing strategy for your brand. For instance, restaurants and bars can host watch parties for the matches. A few decorations and game-day specials can go a long way to bring in new guests and build community with World Cup visitors. The direct service industry will be impacted, as well. With an influx of people, so comes an increased demand for personal services such as spas, tour groups, escape rooms, and more. To catch the eye of FIFA visitors, incorporate a soccer theme or offer specialty pricing for the month. For retail businesses, we recommend working with local artists to create one-of-a-kind items to celebrate Philly's role in this historic event. More and more, individuals are seeking handcrafts and locally-designed items when purchasing souvenirs. Our city's simultaneously gritty and heartfelt charm cannot be captured by anyone other than locals; working with Philly artists will allow your brand to offer the custom designs that our visitors are looking for.
3) Do Your World Cup Research
The World Cup is an international, multi-week event--there are a lot of ins-and-outs to be aware of! Make sure you're aware of the timeline leading up to June 14. Will your small business need additional permits, training, or certificates for your FIFA World Cup 2026 marketing strategies? Consider these factors now, so your brand will be ready by the time the games begin. Additionally, due to the international nature of the event, we'll have even more cultures visiting our already-diverse city. It's crucial that your small business feels welcoming to all. Be sure to stay respectful and supportive of all teams involved; bashing any team is a bad look for your brand. Be sure to check out the Philadelphia 2026 Business Readiness Playbook for small businesses designed and provided by the city itself. Not only does this provide insight for the World Cup, but also for navigating other major events happening in the city.
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