Why Chicago isn't hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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The FIFA World Cup kicks off next week and will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada, but not in Chicago.
The big picture: Eleven U.S. cities will host World Cup matches, including Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Dallas. The closest Midwest city is Kansas City.
So why not Chicago? Simple: We didn't bid for it.
Flashback: FIFA accepted bids for the 2026 World Cup back in 2018 and Mayor Rahm Emanuel seemed excited at first to get Chicago a piece of the pie.
- But after his team reviewed the financials, it became clear the city may not have seen an economic windfall and withdrew Chicago and Soldier Field from consideration.
What they said: "FIFA could not provide a basic level of certainty on some major unknowns that put our city and taxpayers at risk," the mayor's office said in a 2018 statement.
- "The uncertainty for taxpayers, coupled with FIFA's inflexibility and unwillingness to negotiate, were clear indications that further pursuit of the bid wasn't in Chicago's best interests."
State of play: Signs suggest Emanuel's concerns were well-founded. In the run-up to the World Cup's June 11 start, a collection of host cities, states and corporate donors have spent tens of millions on transit, security and other World Cup logistics, the New York Times reports.
- And about 65%–70% of hotel owners in World Cup host cities surveyed said visa barriers and geopolitical concerns are "significantly suppressing international demand," according to a recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
- About 80% of respondents say hotel bookings are tracking below initial forecasts.
- Also, high prices for airfare and gas make it more expensive to travel to this year's World Cup than previous ones.
History lesson: The last time the World Cup came to the U.S., Chicago not only hosted matches, but was the site of the opening ceremonies. The 1994 World Cup remains one of the most successful tournaments in FIFA history.
Zoom out: Much has changed in the U.S. since the tournament took place here 32 years ago.
- Now there are several professional leagues for both men and women, more people playing the game overall, and more ways to watch the sport than ever before.
The intrigue: While the financial picture may not have been rosy in 2018, Chicago is no stranger to hosting big events. Since the 1994 World Cup, the city has hosted two Democratic National Conventions, Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, the NASCAR Street Race and the NATO Summit in 2012.
Yes, but: The city has reworked its deal with Lollapalooza and was lauded for not taking on debt for the DNC. It's been much more shrewd about events that may promote the city and tourism but put finances in the red.
The bottom line: Eight years after Chicago passed on hosting the world's biggest sporting event, that decision looks less like a missed opportunity and more like a calculated bet.
What's next: The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities.