Chamber outlines proactive vision to maximize 2026 World Cup economic boom for NYC businesses
New York, NY – February 27, 2026 – Today, Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, delivered testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Economic Development regarding preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Representing over 130,000 businesses across the borough, Walker outlined a comprehensive, forward-looking strategy to ensure New York City captures its fair share of this once-in-a-generation economic opportunity.
The 2026 World Cup is projected to draw more than 1.2 million visitors to the region. This influx is estimated to generate $3.3 billion in total regional economic activity and create 26,000 jobs. To ensure these benefits reach every neighborhood, the Chamber presented a proactive legislative roadmap designed to elevate the visitor experience and support local storefronts.
Key Takeaways in Chamber Testimony:
The 2026 World Cup is a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity, but New York City can do more to take full advantage and “spread the love” to ensure small businesses benefit.
Our most urgent challenge is a severe lodging capacity gap. Hotels alone cannot absorb a 37-day surge of international visitors. If visitors cannot find affordable rooms in the five boroughs, they will stay in New Jersey, taking their spending with them. A tourist who sleeps in Hoboken will not get their morning coffee or dinner in Harlem.
We recommend a narrowly tailored, suspension of the short-term rental ban for the World Cup window. This would be temporary and targeted, applying only to June and July of this year. This costs the city nothing while preventing the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars from leaking out of the city. All five of the borough chambers of commerce support this proposal.
We also support a temporary move to 5 AM for liquor licenses citywide, and a few designated 24-hour zones, to maximize the party. I consider it a major win if we are able to successfully use this event to bring back our city’s 24/7 feel and reputation, which has waned since Covid. We are the city that never sleeps – and this is an opportunity to remind the world of that!
Finally, we must ensure this rising tide lifts small businesses in every borough. This won’t happen without being intentional. Our citywide Summer of Opportunity Coalition (comprised of chambers, BIDs, trade associations, and others) has created a free Summer 2026 Live NYC Map for visitors to discover local storefronts and watch parties throughout the five boroughs this summer. This could be a real game-changer for our small businesses. We hope city government will partner with us by leveraging its marketing channels to promote this map, ensuring every neighborhood business can be found online by visitors.