Nearly two weeks into the World Cup, some local business owners say they've yet to see sales skyrocket despite a massive influx of visiting fans.

Why it matters: South Florida governments shelled out about $53 million to land and organize Miami's World Cup matches, expecting the local economy would see a major return on that investment via tourism and job creation.

• Some economists argued economic projections were "wildly exaggerated" and that large companies — including FIFA — would be the chief recipients of increased spending, not local businesses.

Case in point: "We're about 10% higher than where we would've been with sales [this time of year]," Theo Castillo, owner of No Seasons Brewery in Little River, told Axios.

• "Most of our business is regulars and the people that live here," he said. The tournament "has maybe mobilized them to come out more often, but we're a little further away to see that big tourist push."

Similarly, The Brightside, a neighborhood bar on Coral Way, has seen "a normal" amount of patrons aside from the U.S. games, owner Michael Radigan told Axios.

• "We probably had more people for the Knicks series," he said, referring to the NBA Finals. "We're such a neighborhood space, so we have our locals who don't want to fight traffic or be in the heat."

Yes, but: Some larger, more central spots have reaped the economic benefits of out-of-towners.

• "We've also been absolutely crazy for the last week with Scottish people," Mickey Byrne's Irish Pub owner Mark Rowe told Axios. "All the locals want to come down and join in on the fun, so it's been spectacular for business."
• Remove the Scots from the equation, though, and business has been "about the same" as previous World Cup tournaments.
• The downtown Hollywood mainstay has become a go-to place for U.S. games over the years, he said.

Zoom out: The tournament comes at the onset of Miami's slow season, and even the slightest boost in guests is welcome for local business owners.

• "Summer is always terrible, so we're very, very happy and grateful to have that extra business," Rowe said.

The bottom line: There are still a few weeks left in the tournament, and business owners, including Radigan and Castillo, foresee larger crowds for the final games.

Axios' Naomi Feinstein contributed to this report.

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Ahead of their World Cup clash in Miami, Brazil and Scotland fans looked more like friends than rivals.

• Outside Hard Rock Stadium yesterday, they danced together, took photos of each other and basked in their shared World Cup moment.
• Earlier in the week, they partied around Miami — though Scotland's beloved Tartan Army stole the show with their infectiously festive energy.

But on the field yesterday, Brazil dominated from the start, scoring its first of three goal just seven minutes into the 3-0 match. (Scotland had five shots on goal but couldn't execute.)

• Hard Rock was a sea of yellow and green Brazil shirts, dotted with Scotland fans' blue and salmon pink.

Before legendary Brazilian forward Neymar substituted into the game at the 76th minute, Brazilians chanted his name to a bagpipe tune.

Here is what match day looked like across Miami

🇧🇷 Lucca Drago, a Brazilian living in Miami, attended his first World Cup match Monday and said it was refreshing to see both countries' fans respect each other — something you don't see at the club level.

• "For example, PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) against Manchester City, they fight, they don't like each other. But here it seems like the ideal world. Everyone is friendly. We see peace. Everyone respects each other."

Douglas Loggie, a Scottish fan visiting from Edinburgh, explained before the match that Scots and Brazilians have a shared love of partying.

• "And also, they know they're gonna hammer us so they don't care," he said with a laugh.

Meanwhile in Coconut Grove, Brazilian fans took over Sandbar, many wearing yellow.

The vibe: Nothing crazy. No chants, no overly loud patrons. Just a crowd focused on the game.

• Fans cheered loudly when Neymar was subbed into the match.
• A table of about a dozen Scottish fans were mostly quiet during the match.

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Miami city commissioners are expected to discuss the city's 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a meeting today. (WLRN)

• Before the 9am meeting, community advocates and concerned residents will gather outside Miami City Hall to call on commissioners to rescind the agreement.

Florida is set to execute its ninth Death Row inmate of 2026 today: Dusty Ray Spencer, who killed his wife in 1992. (USA Today/Miami Herald)

• At 74, Spencer would become the oldest person executed in state history.

Millions of World Cup visitors are experiencing American cuisine for the first time and there's one menu item that's completely foreign: tipping.

Why it matters: Many restaurants in World Cup host cities are adding 20% gratuities to customers' bills this summer to accommodate international fans who might otherwise accidentally stiff their servers.

The big picture: Tipping isn't customary in many countries, and the U.S. version of it is unusually central to worker pay.

• In America, tipped workers can be paid as little as $2.13 an hour as long as tips bring them up to the $7.25 federal minimum wage.

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It's the last weekend in June! Here's what's happening around town.

• Bonus: World Cup watch parties are happening around the city!

♟️ Knightcap Chess Club World Cup Edition: Play chess and celebrate the soccer tournament with vintage football jerseys and an Inter Miami Messi kit raffle.

• Tonight, 7pm, Jon & Vinny's.

🔊 Big Wig Drag Fest 2026: Close out Pride Month at Casa Nube Wynwood with three stages, 40+ artists, drag and more.

• Friday, 7pm-3am. Tickets: $35+.

🛍️ El Mercadito: Little Havana's first social farmers market invites you to spend your Friday night connecting with new people and discovering new businesses.

• Friday, 6-10-pm, El Jardin Inn.

💦 Summer Swamp BBQ at Gramps Getaway: Eat burgers, hear live DJ tunes and enjoy Miami's sunset from one of the best spots in the city.

• Saturday, 7pm-11pm. Tickets: $13+.

🥯 Bagels & Brews: Neighborhood Bagels is popping up at Off Site Miami with bagel sandos, bagels and schmear to go.

• Sunday, 10:30am (until sold out).

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