Will the World Cup deliver for Miami taxpayers? Here’s what to know

Miami is hosting seven World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium from June 15 through July 18, drawing global attention and major economic projections. But with Miami-Dade County spending more than $46 million on the event, taxpayers deserve to know whether the investment will pay off.

FULL STORY: Seven matches, $46 million: Will the World Cup deliver a win for Miami taxpayers? | Opinion

Here are key takeaways:

• The price tag: Miami-Dade County is expected to spend over $46 million on the World Cup, with the city of Miami also contributing millions. Highly anticipated matchups include Brazil vs. Scotland and Colombia vs. Portugal.
• Projected payoff: A 2024 FIFA-commissioned study estimated the seven matches could generate $1.3 billion in economic impact through hotels, shopping and restaurants. Short-term rental bookings are already up 130% for the Brazil-Scotland match and 106% for Colombia-Portugal.
• Security lessons learned: After the 2024 Copa America chaos, when ticketless fans stormed Hard Rock Stadium, federal, state and local agencies have ramped up preparations, including drone flight restrictions and new security zones. “If you don’t have a ticket to the game, don’t go to the game,” FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey said.
• Fan Fest boost: The multi-week Fan Fest in downtown Miami is expected to draw about 600,000 attendees, providing another revenue stream for local businesses.
• The open question: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava promises a long-term economic boost, but projections aren’t results. Whether locals truly benefit from the $46 million investment won’t be clear until the crowds go home.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.