As Labor Day Weekend marks the traditional end of summer, we close the books on a consequential three months in American soccer history. This was the final summer before the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup arrives on home soil, and the momentum has been building across every facet of the sport.
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, American soccer experienced unprecedented growth that touched all corners of the industry. Record-breaking attendance figures, historic broadcast viewership, massive infrastructure investments, groundbreaking digital engagement, and billion-dollar valuations painted a picture of a sport reaching new heights of popularity and commercial success.
Corporate America took notice too, with brands from diverse sectors either expanding existing soccer partnerships or entering the space for the first time. Companies like Taittinger, Valvoline, Corpay, Intermex, Kinder, Walmart, New Balance, Kellanova, Lowe’s, Tylenol, and Chobani—spanning everything from luxury champagne to home improvement retail—recognized soccer’s growing influence and invested accordingly.
The numbers below don’t tell the complete story, as no single list could capture every development. But they serve as compelling examples of the incredible momentum building across American soccer as we head into the World Cup year ahead.
3
FIFA Club World Cup representatives from MLS earned a combined $41 million
Seattle Sounders FC, Inter Miami CF, and Los Angeles FC not only represented Major League Soccer against global giants like Real Madrid and Chelsea, but also brought home substantial prize money. The $41 million windfall, based on both tournament participation and performance, demonstrates the financial rewards of competing at soccer’s highest level.
4
All-MLS Leagues Cup semifinalists
For the first time in tournament history, all four Leagues Cup semifinals featured MLS teams after American clubs swept the quarterfinals against Liga MX opposition. Inter Miami CF, Orlando City, LA Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders FC advanced, guaranteeing an MLS champion for the third consecutive year and securing all three Concacaf Champions Cup berths for American teams.
11
Premier League clubs with gambling sponsors on jerseys
Eleven Premier League clubs entered the 2025/26 season with gambling or sports betting companies as front-of-shirt sponsors, marking the final campaign before new regulations force teams to abandon such partnerships. The transition represents a significant shift in how English soccer’s top tier will generate commercial revenue moving forward.
365
Days until the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kickoff
June 11, 2025 marked exactly one year until the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup begins on North American soil, with the countdown celebrated across all 16 host cities. Check out our work with Telemundo to kick off the one-year countdown in true Miami style—on a boat! The milestone emphasized the approaching reality of soccer’s biggest tournament returning to the continent for the first time since 1994.
1,500
Soccer games in Comcast’s new “World Soccer Ticket” bundle
At $85 per month, subscribers gain access to a minimum of 1,500 games annually across over 60 channels, covering the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Liga MX, CONCACAF Champions Cup, NWSL, and more. The comprehensive package represents cable television’s most ambitious attempt to capture soccer’s growing American audience.
12,000
Seats in Sacramento Republic FC’s new stadium
Located in the city’s Railyard district, the new venue is part of the country’s largest infill development project, which will double downtown Sacramento’s size. The stadium represents the growing infrastructure investments in professional American soccer. Check out the flyover video and renderings of the new stadium.
39,557
Average attendance across all FIFA Club World Cup games
The 63-game tournament drew nearly 2.5 million total spectators, with Chelsea’s victory over PSG in the final attracting over 81,000 fans at MetLife Stadium—the tournament’s highest single-game attendance. The consistent crowds validated the expanded format’s appeal to American audiences.
40,091
New NWSL attendance record at Oracle Park
Bay FC’s game against the Washington Spirit on August 23 set a new NWSL single-game attendance record, surpassing the previous mark of 35,038 and establishing a new benchmark for any U.S. women’s professional sports league. The event, called “The Show at Oracle Park,” is the latest demonstration of the growing popularity of women’s soccer in America.
82,566
Attendance for Manchester United vs. West Ham at MetLife Stadium
The Premier League Summer Series game drew the tournament’s largest crowd, showcasing American fans’ appetite for elite English soccer during the summer months. The figure exceeded most Premier League games played in England, highlighting the unique draw of marquee games on American soil.
92,841
Peak concurrent players for soccer video game Rematch
The newly-released arcade-style game featuring 5v5 games blends competitive gaming with soccer authenticity, proving appetite exists for innovation in the soccer gaming space. The impressive player count demonstrates how digital platforms can expand soccer’s reach beyond traditional audiences.
195,270
Attendance through first seven Alianza de Futbol Tour events
Our property, Alianza de Futbol, celebrates Hispanic culture through soccer tournaments, while providing a platform for players to be scouted by U.S. Soccer, the Mexican Football Federation, MLS and Liga MX teams, and other organizations. The strong attendance figures underscore soccer’s role as a cultural bridge in American communities with significant Latino populations.
850,000
Average Premier League opening weekend viewership across NBC platforms
Coverage across NBC, USA Network, Peacock, and NBC Digital platforms for six games represented a 4% increase over the previous record set in 2024. The growth demonstrates the Premier League’s continued expansion in American sports consciousness.
1.35 million
Average viewership for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final (peaking at 1.92 million)
FOX’s broadcast made it the most-watched UEFA women’s soccer fixture in U.S. history, up 53% from the 2022 edition. The tournament marked FOX’s first-ever U.S. broadcast television presentation of the competition, validating the network’s investment in women’s soccer broadcasting rights.
3.73 million
Viewers for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final on FOX
The game became the most-watched English-language Gold Cup telecast in tournament history, even as the USMNT fell to Mexico in the final. The viewership milestone demonstrates American soccer fans’ commitment to supporting the national team despite disappointing results.
3.8 million
Instagram followers added by FIFA Club World Cup participants
Social media growth during the tournament was led by Auckland City’s nearly 1,000% increase with over 282,000 new followers. The digital engagement boom showed how major tournaments can dramatically expand clubs’ global reach and fanbase beyond traditional geographic boundaries.
6.5 million
Children living within walking distance of mini-pitches
A North Carolina State University study revealed 6.5 million children now live within a half-mile of the 800+ mini-pitches across the country. With 87% of programming offered free or at reduced rates and 70% located in densely populated, low-opportunity neighborhoods, the infrastructure represents a significant investment in soccer accessibility.
$10 million
Value of Catarina Macario’s Nike contract
The 10-year deal makes the USWNT and Chelsea midfielder one of the highest-paid women’s soccer players globally, reflecting the growing commercial value of elite female athletes. The contract signals Nike’s long-term commitment to women’s soccer marketing.
$43 million
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s Crystal Palace investment
Johnson purchased a 43% minority stake from American businessman John Textor, continuing the trend of NFL owners diversifying into soccer. The investment highlights American sports executives’ growing interest in European soccer ownership opportunities.
$75 million
Total sponsor revenues for NWSL clubs
SponsorUnited’s first-ever NWSL Partnerships Report showed an 8% year-over-year increase fueled by 441 total sponsorship deals. The growth demonstrates the league’s increasing commercial viability and corporate America’s growing investment in women’s professional sports.
$100 million
Cost of Philadelphia Union’s new training complex
The 170,000-square-foot, 32-acre facility next to Subaru Park unifies the Union Academy and YSC Academy private school with the club’s first and second teams. The comprehensive development includes indoor facilities, multi-sport courts, a performance center, and seven outdoor fields.
$125 million
Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Highmark Stadium expansion
The project nearly triples capacity from 5,500 to 15,000 seats for both the Riverhounds and Riveters teams. The investment demonstrates lower-division soccer’s infrastructure ambitions and the growing viability of smaller-market professional soccer.
$150 million
Cost of Detroit City FC’s new AlumniFi Field
The USL Championship club unveiled stadium renderings with an expected 2027 opening, representing one of the largest infrastructure investments in American lower-division soccer. The project highlights Detroit’s soccer renaissance and the sport’s growth in non-traditional markets.
$650 million
Investment in Chicago Fire’s new stadium
Owner Joe Mansueto is fully funding a soccer-specific stadium project in Chicago’s The 78 district, with construction planned to start in late 2026 and opening scheduled for spring 2028. The venue will end the Fire’s stadium-sharing arrangement and provide a permanent home in the city.
$900 million
Columbus Crew valuation after Haslam Sports Group sale
The NFL Cleveland Browns and NBA Milwaukee Bucks ownership group sold a 10% stake to the Edwards family, who now own 30% of the MLS club. The valuation reflects the growing worth of successful MLS franchises and cross-sport ownership synergies.
These numbers tell the story of American soccer’s remarkable summer—from record-breaking attendance and viewership to massive infrastructure investments that position the sport for continued growth heading into the 2026 World Cup year.
How well do you know the World Cup audience?
The countdown is in full swing and the tournament will be here before you know it! From emerging fan demographics to geographic hotspots, we explore how America’s unique and diverse soccer landscape is poised to embrace the global game’s premier event.