How the 2026 World Cup is actually hurting local business as some near MetLife lose out by ‘60%’

Some businesses located just minutes from one of the 2026 World Cup's biggest venues say the tournament has actually reduced, rather than increased, customer numbers.

The surprising trend has emerged around New York New Jersey Stadium, which will host the World Cup final on July 19th.

Businesses close to 2026 World Cup final stadium losing out massively

One long-established restaurant just a five-minute walk from MetLife Stadium says World Cup matchdays have caused business to fall by as much as 60%.

Steve's Sizzling Steaks in Carlstadt, New Jersey, had expected to benefit from the thousands of supporters travelling to the stadium during the tournament.

Instead, manager Henry Ditonto says official traffic warnings and gridlock alerts have discouraged regular customers from visiting.

“Why all of a sudden do they want to tell us where the traffic is?” Ditonto told Channel 7 Eyewitness News.

“They're never concerned about that the rest of the year. But now? Now, when we want traffic.”

The family-run restaurant, which has operated since 1936 and previously welcomed famous names including Elvis Presley, Billy Martin and George Martin, has even installed a live webcam overlooking its car park to reassure customers that parking remains available on matchdays.

New York New Jersey Stadium has already staged five World Cup fixtures and will continue to host key knockout matches, including a Round of 32 tie, a Round of 16 clash and the tournament final.

FGG says: Not the impact local businesses would have hoped for

The 2026 World Cup is expected to generate billions for host cities overall, but this shows the benefits are not always evenly distributed.

Local businesses would have hoped football's biggest tournament would bring a surge in customers, yet traffic restrictions and public warnings appear to be having the opposite effect for some venues.

It's an unintended consequence organisers will hope can be addressed before the remaining knockout games and the World Cup final.