Can Caribbean Americans cash in on the World Cup?

The New York/New Jersey Host Committee has projected that those eight matches will generate approximately $3.3 billion in economic impact and support 26,000 jobs.

For Caribbean-owned businesses across New York City, the tournament presents an exciting opportunity to capitalize on an influx of visitors, many of whom will be seeking food, entertainment, and cultural experiences beyond the stadium.

“Caribbean businesses in NYC will benefit massively from more than 1.2 million visitors by leveraging high-energy watch parties, Caribbean-American Heritage Month promotions, and integrated cultural activations designed to capture the spillover spending of soccer fans and the diaspora across the city’s five boroughs,” said Albert Baldeo, a district leader representing Little Guyana and nearby communities.

“Some establishments are transforming their spaces to cater to African, South American, and Caribbean fans with dedicated screens and culturally representative menus featuring pepperpot, oxtail, cook-up rice, roti, curry dishes, jerk chicken, doubles, pelau, and goat curry, among other Caribbean favorites,” he said.

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Baldeo added: “Businesses are also participating in the New York City Tourism + Conventions ‘Five Borough Winners Special’ program to distribute exclusive borough-themed cups and encourage visitors to explore local neighborhoods.”

Yet while business owners anticipate a boost in revenue, many local fans may find attending matches out of reach.

Entry-level tickets for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium range from $460 to $700, while premium seats can cost up to $2,500.

The World Cup Final carries an even steeper price tag, with tickets reportedly ranging from $3,500 to $70,000, according to NPR and the Associated Press. FIFA increased prices amid surging global demand.

Hotels near MetLife Stadium reportedly doubled — and in some cases tripled — their room rates within days of the match schedule announcement.

Getting there compounds the challenge. The city has designated every match day a Gridlock Alert Day, transit surcharges will apply, and rideshare prices are expected to rise sharply, making a trip to the stadium more accessible to well-resourced visitors than to the average Flatbush football fan who has followed the sport for decades.

Veteran Caribbean journalist Tony Best echoed that concern.

“It’s priced through the roof,” he said.

For Caribbean business owners, however, the economics cut both ways.

 The same pricing that may keep many local supporters out of MetLife could drive thousands of affluent international visitors into the city to eat, drink, socialize, and experience Caribbean culture.

“Fan zones and watch parties are decentralized, with focal points emerging in Brooklyn, including Canarsie, as well as Queens and Manhattan, aligning perfectly with Caribbean American Heritage Month,” Baldeo said.

“The beneficiaries include Caribbean-owned restaurants, bars, nightlife venues, and cultural organizers in high-diaspora communities such as Flatbush, Crown Heights and Southeast Queens, which stand to gain from increased spending by both local fans and international tourists,” Baldo explained.

June is recognized as Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States, and many organizations use the period to showcase Caribbean culture through festivals, exhibitions, and community events.

“Through consortium platforms, such as LiveMap.NYC, local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts are directing visitors to outer-borough Caribbean communities such as Flatbush, Richmond Hill, Little Guyana and Guyana Gateway,” Baldeo said.

He added: “Businesses in these neighborhoods are expected to welcome increased visitor traffic and the resulting economic activity. Caribbean hospitality and carnival culture will be on full display.”

Business owners seeking to capitalize on World Cup-related opportunities may find the following resources useful:

Queens Group Stage Headquarters — USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows. Opens June 11 and offers direct outreach opportunities in Richmond Hill and South Jamaica.

Five Borough Winners Special — Participating businesses can offer $26 World Cup-themed food and beverage specials.

SBS Mobile Outreach — The Department of Small Business Services is conducting outreach across all five boroughs. Business owners who have not yet been contacted are encouraged to call 311.

FIFA Procurement Catalogue — Diverse local suppliers are being catalogued for event-related contracts that may extend beyond the tournament.

NYC World Cup Hosting Playbook — A free guide for businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations is available through NYC.gov’s World Cup portal.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce also offers a Small Business Resource Guide for FIFA World Cup 2026, providing information on hosting watch parties, creating themed menus, and promoting special events.

In addition, the Department of Small Business Services offers assistance with watch-party licensing, access to the NYC Funds Finder for flexible capital, and a pool of more than 100,000 job candidates for businesses seeking additional staff during match days.