A National Benchmark Study Shows Broad Public Support for FIFA in the U.S.

June 10, 2026, Columbus, OH – A survey of 4,000 Americans representative of U.S. demographics shows a majority believe there will be many positive results from hosting the FIFA World Cup.   These are just some of the findings in the “2026 Resident Sentiment Towards Sporting Events National Benchmark Study”, presented by Miles Partnership.  This groundbreaking report—in its second year—offers an unprecedented look into the perceptions of residents towards sporting events of all kinds, from youth soccer to the Super Bowl, in their communities. A collaboration between two of the top research firms in the field, Longwoods International and Cimarron Global Solutions, this study is an invaluable resource for professionals working in sport and tourism.

Dr. Jennifer Stoll, CEO of Cimarron Global Solutions, highlighted the importance of this year’s study: “This research provides the only comprehensive view of what residents think about sporting events in the U.S., a key resource for improving sports tourism. Additionally, the study highlights fascinating insights regarding the U.S. co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beginning this week, making this year’s results all the more relevant.”

The study reports that 80% of Americans believe that hosting the FIFA World Cup will create cultural engagement opportunities.   Seventy one percent of respondents agree that hosting FIFA will produce long-term economic benefits for the U.S., and 69% are proud the U.S. is hosting the World Cup.  Another two thirds also believe that hosting the FIFA World Cup will improve the image of the U.S.

The design and execution of this study was a joint venture by research teams from Longwoods International and Cimarron Global Solutions. Fielded in October 2025, the survey gathered responses from a representative sample of 4,000 Americans, making it the most comprehensive ongoing inquiry into residents’ perceptions of sporting events.

Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnerships making this research possible: “We are thrilled to partner with Cimarron Global Solutions to bring our industry-leading resident sentiment research into the realm of sports tourism for a second year.”

Access the Report

For those interested in delving deeper into the findings and leveraging this knowledge to shape the future of sporting events in their communities, the full report is accessible via the following link: https://cimarronglobal.com/resident-sentiment/.

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About Longwoods International

Longwoods International is a leading travel and tourism research consultancy with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and Toronto Canada, and offices in Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.  It conducts Longwoods Travel USA®, the largest ongoing survey of American travelers, as well as image, advertising effectiveness, advertising return on investment, sentiment, and other custom research in 12 countries around the globe. Learn more at https://longwoods-intl.com.   

About Cimarron Global Solutions

Cimarron Global Solutions is the sport and tourism industry leading research, strategy, and advisory company. Established in 2024 by Dr. Jennifer Stoll, Cimarron is committed to providing customized insights and forward-thinking strategies tailored to meet the distinctive challenges of the sport and tourism sectors. They are not just trendsetters; they are shaping the future of sport and tourism. Rooted in integrity, teamwork, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, Cimarron empowers organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Learn more at https://cimarronglobal.com.  

About Miles Partnership

Miles Partnership is a strategic marketing consultancy focused exclusively on travel and tourism. The company works with more than 150 destinations, hospitality businesses and other travel industry clients worldwide to develop marketing and management strategies that amplify local experiences, boost visitation, improve community relations and increase overall economic impact. Learn more at https://www.milespartnership.com.

Media Contacts

Amir Eylon, President & CEO, Longwoods International

[email protected]

614-570-1234

Dr. Jennifer Stoll, President & CEO, Cimarron Global Solutions

[email protected]

970-250-5734