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Chamber coalition launches guide to help businesses boost revenue during 2026 summer events

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NEW YORK, NY — January 27, 2026 — With a historic season of international tourism approaching, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the newly formed NYC Summer of Opportunity Coalition, has released a comprehensive guide to help local businesses seize the economic opportunities ahead.

The guide, titled “The Summer of Opportunity Guide: Tips for NYC Restaurants, Bars and Shops,” provides actionable strategies for navigating the influx of 7 million visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the Sail4th 250 Celebration.

“Summer 2026 will be the single largest economic season in New York City’s history, with an estimated $6.2 billion in economic activity on the line,” said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “However, with Manhattan’s traditional tourist hubs expected to be at absolute capacity, our goal is to ensure this spending doesn't leak out to the suburbs, but is strategically redirected to the businesses that need it most across our boroughs”.

The toolkit was developed by a coalition of key civic organizations—including the Chambers of Commerce for all five boroughs, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, and the Times Square Alliance, among others. It covers critical areas for business readiness, including:

  • Marketing to Global Fans: Instructions on how to register for the Summer 2026 Live NYC Map to promote storefronts to millions of visitors for free.

  • Operational Readiness: Strategies for managing "high-intensity" crowd flows during specific match days, such as the Brazil vs. Morocco game on June 13, which is expected to drive heavy pre-match brunch traffic.

  • Navigating Compliance: A clear breakdown of which events require a FIFA Public Viewing License versus those that do not, ensuring businesses avoid fines while hosting watch parties.

  • "Third Place" Positioning: Marketing tactics for small businesses to position themselves as affordable, community-oriented alternatives to tourist traps for fans seeking a place to relax between events.

“The convergence of the World Cup and the largest fleet of tall ships ever assembled represents a global spotlight on NYC,” the Coalition stated in the guide. “We are moving beyond passive hosting to proactive engagement to ensure our small businesses are the primary beneficiaries”.

The Summer of Opportunity Guide is available immediately as a free digital download.

About the NYC Summer of Opportunity Coalition: The Coalition is a partnership of New York City’s leading civic and business organizations, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Chambers of Commerce, the Alliance for Downtown New York, the Meatpacking District, the Hotel Association of NYC, the NYC Hospitality Alliance, The Broadway Association, the Regional Plan Association, and the Times Square Alliance.

© 2026 Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.