Winning Big
It wasn’t only the US Men’s National Team who enjoyed a victory in Cincinnati. The whole region saw a W.
The tourism numbers are in from the USA vs. Mexico soccer match held at TQL Stadium on November 12 and they measure up as one of the largest tourism weekends for the region since the pandemic began.
“Cincinnati shined bright as our community came together to host the USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier Match at the TQL Stadium,” said Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley. “From hoteliers and restauranteurs to all the stores, bars, and shops in between, we showcased the charm and energy that is the hallmark of our city. I am proud of our hospitality industry, our public servants, and our residents, who showcased why this is such a great community. I look forward to continuing to put Cincinnati on the map as the ideal environment to host world-class international events.”
While the US Men’s National Team won the match 2-0 with a capacity crowd of 26,000 at TQL Stadium, local hotels also had a big win with downtown hotels at 95.1% occupancy and hotels in Hamilton County at 77.6% occupancy on the evening of the match (Source: Smith Travel Research).
“The hotel occupancy and revenue figures from the USA vs. Mexico match were the highest we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic,” said Julie Calvert, President & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Hotel occupancy was on par with our two largest annual tourism weekends, The Cincinnati Music Festival and the Flying Pig Marathon.”
Anchored by the match, the weekend hotel business in Hamilton County topped $3 million in revenue.
“With such a diverse group of visitors, US Soccer had the forethought to provide interpreters to bridge the communication divide,” said Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas. “It was exciting to hear the roar of the crowd and see the fireworks as I road by TQL Stadium during the game. We are on the brink of something phenomenal in Hamilton County.”
Hosting the match was important for Cincinnati’s hospitality leaders since the city is on the short list of U.S. cities vying to host FIFA World Cup in 2026. The 2026 Cincy Local Organizing Committee, comprised of hospitality, business, civic and government leaders, recently hosted a contingent from FIFA and US Soccer for a site visit of facilities, fan fest locations and hospitality amenities. The final selection of U.S. Host Cities is likely to be announced in early 2022.
“Our city was electric during the USA vs. Mexico match,” said Jeff Berding, President of FC Cincinnati. “We proudly showed FIFA and US Soccer officials along with the international soccer community that Cincinnati can successfully host major soccer matches in electrifying fashion while rolling out the red carpet for fans from around the world.”
Sports bars and restaurants also reaped the benefits of the big match, including those at The Banks, where a US Soccer-endorsed Watch Party was held last Friday evening.
“The excitement from the USA vs. Mexico soccer match was palpable, it had the enthusiasm of a Reds playoff game mixed with a Bengals-Steelers game topped off with a UC basketball tournament match up,” said Jim Moehring, owner of the Holy Grail at The Banks. “Our revenue from the Watch Party was up 50 percent, and was most welcome as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”
Additionally, more than 200 media credentials were issued to journalists who covered the match for domestic and international media outlets.