CINCINNATI — The World Cup qualifier between the United States and Mexico earlier this month proved a success on and off the pitch.
What You Need To Know
- The USA/Mexico soccer match in Cincinnati was a major success for local hotels and businesses
- The Visitors Bureau called it one of the largest tourism weekends in nearly two years
- Hotel revenue was about $3 million, per the CVB
- Cincinnati saw the event as an audition to host a World Cup match in 2026
The 2-0 shutout by Team USA at TQL Stadium on Nov. 12 helped the national team inch closer to a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It was also a profitable night outside the stadium for many local hotels and businesses.
This wasn't just any match. A World Cup qualifier between these continental foes often earns the nickname of the biggest game in North America as it's played only twice every four years — once in the U.S. and once in Mexico.
On Monday, the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) released initial economic figures related to the event. They're labeling it "one of the largest tourism weekends for the region since the pandemic began” nearly two years ago.
Citing numbers from Smith Travel Research, the CVB said downtown hotels were filled at 95.1% occupancy and hotels in Hamilton County reached 77.6% occupancy on the night of the match. Anchored by the match, the weekend hotel business in Hamilton County topped $3 million in revenue, per the CVB.
Julie Calvert, president and CEO of the CVB, said hotel occupancy was on par with the region's two largest annual tourism weekends, the Cincinnati Music Festival and the Flying Pig Marathon.
Before the day leading up to the match, Cavlert said the game and surrounding events would also have an impact of “millions of dollars” on local bars and restaurants.
The festivities began Thursday with a “night before” celebration hosted by a USMNT supporters' group, the American Outlaws, at The Pitch, a bar across the street from the stadium. On game day, fans again packed The Pitch and there was also an all-day party at Northern Row Brewery and Distillery a few blocks away in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
Northern Row served as the starting point for the fan march to the stadium in the West End. Fans decked out in red, white and blue and Team Mexico colors hung out at the various bars and restaurants in OTR along the parade route. They also made their way to spots spread across the other downtown Cincinnati neighborhoods. That includes The Banks where an official U.S. Soccer watch party took place.
Despite the brisk temperatures and ever-present threat of rain that evening, Jim Moehring, owner of the Holy Grail at The Banks, called the excitement “palpable." Business wasn't too bad either. Moehring said revenue was up 50% from a standard Friday night.
“It had the enthusiasm of a Reds playoff game mixed with a Bengals-Steelers game topped off with a UC basketball tournament match up,” he said. “It was most welcome as we continue to recover from the pandemic."
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said the city “shined bright” as the world watched. More than 200 media credentials were issued to journalists who covered the match for domestic and international media outlets.
“From hoteliers and restaurateurs to all the stores, bars, and shops in between, we showcased the charm and energy that is the hallmark of our city. I am proud of our hospitality industry, our public servants, and our residents, who showcased why this is such a great community,” he said.
Cranley went on to say that the game helped "put Cincinnati on the map as the ideal environment to host world-class international events.”
The USA/Mexico was an audition of sorts for Cincinnati, which aims to secure a World Cup match in 2026 when the global tournament comes to North America. Cincinnati is one of 17 U.S. cities still in the running to be a host city.
The 2026 Cincy Local Organizing Committee, made up of hospitality, business, civic and government leaders, recently hosted a contingent from FIFA and U.S. Soccer for a site visit. They toured Paul Brown Stadium and FC Cincinnati training facilities for the soccer side of things. But they also looked at social amenities — hotels, eateries and nightlife, and cultural centers like museums. Cincinnati's World Cup fan fest would occur at The Banks.
“We proudly showed FIFA and U.S. Soccer officials along with the international soccer community that Cincinnati can successfully host major soccer matches in electrifying fashion while rolling out the red carpet for fans from around the world,” said Jeff Berding, president of FC Cincinnati.
The final selection of U.S. host cities will likely take place early next year.