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July 15, 2026
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Local Sports Bars See an Increase in Sales Due to World Cup 2026 Interest

By Patricia Mirasol
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Sports bars in Metro Manila have been drumming up interest in the World Cup 2026 on social media. This has resulted in an increase in both foot traffic and sales due to Filipinos’ interest in World Cup 2026 viewing parties. Photo by Pressmaster on Pexels.

World Cup 2026 viewing parties are boosting foot traffic and sales at Metro Manila sports bars.

Sports bars in Metro Manila have been drumming up interest in the World Cup 2026 on social media. This has resulted in an increase in both foot traffic and sales due to Filipinos’ interest in viewing parties surrounding the event matches.

Social media has helped boost the hype this year, according to Ruben Ungson, general manager and one of the board of directors at Skinny Mike’s Bar & Events Place in Makati City.

“One of the partners has been running the FB, IG, and TikTok accounts, posting the match schedules and live clips of the crowd,” he told The Business Manual in a July 13 Viber message. “She…captured the energy of the audience and got people excited to join us.”

The 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history, according to Morgan Stanley.

The 2026 World Cup’s format could drive higher viewership and monetization opportunities across media, and generate more than $500 million in advertising revenue, the global financial services firm said. The broader economy could see a short-term lift, with FIFA estimating a $40.9 billion boost to global GDP.

“We expect the upcoming World Cup to have only a minor effect on growth,” said Morgan Stanley U.S. Economist Heather Berger in a June 11, 2026, post. “Boosts to consumption and payrolls in June could be more noticeable, [however].”

Driving Foot Traffic and Revenue Growth During World Cup 2026 Match Nights

World Cup match nights have generated about 8% to 10% of Monarch Manila's gross month-to-date revenue, according to Sunny Jhamtani, managing partner of the Makati City sports bar.

"It’s a great boost for brand visibility and volume, but not a major financial needle-mover," he said in a July 15, 2026 Viber message.

Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City has likewise seen an increase in both foot traffic and food and beverage (F&B) sales compared to a normal week, according to CJ Alcazar, managing director of GV Sports Facilities Corp., the company behind the sports and lifestyle facility.

“We experienced a 50% sales increase in our night shift,” Alcazar said in a July 13 Instagram message. “I think what sells a lot is our house craft beer.”

The quarterfinals match between Argentina and Switzerland drew a lot of attention among its guests, he added. 

World Cup 2026 Fast Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bars are reporting sales increases as social media promotion and organized viewing parties draw larger crowds. Skinny Mike's Bar & Events Place saw a 15% rise in foot traffic and 10% revenue growth, while Gameville Central Park recorded a 50% night-shift sales increase during World Cup 2026 matches. World Cup match nights have also generated about 8% to 10% of Monarch Manila's gross month-to-date revenue.

Morgan Stanley projects the World Cup 2026 could generate more than $500 million in advertising revenue, while FIFA estimates a $40.9 billion boost to global GDP. Economist Heather Berger noted the tournament would likely have only a minor overall effect on U.S. economic growth.

World Cup 2026 expands to 48 teams, up from 32, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advance to a 32-team knockout phase, with 104 matches played across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Sports bars like Skinny Mike's Bar & Events Place are using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to post match schedules and live crowd clips, generating hype ahead of viewing parties. General manager Ruben Ungson credited the strategy with drawing new guests to World Cup 2026 broadcasts.

Venues such as Gameville Central Park add extra viewing screens, increase staffing, and offer food and beverage promotions during match days. Managing director CJ Alcazar said guests value watching alongside fellow fans, since reactions to goals and close calls feel more exciting as a shared experience.

Patricia Mirasol

Patricia Mirasol

Managing Editor

Patricia Mirasol has spent the better part of a decade telling stories that matter, and building the teams and platforms to tell them well. A former multimedia journalist and producer at BusinessWorld — where she covered health, technology, and MSMEs and eventually co-led the online team — she's now managing editor at the refreshed The Business Manual.

Her work has been recognized by the Philippine Space Agency, the Philippine Press Institute, and the Department of Science and Technology, and spans articles, podcasts, videos, and immersive long-form features on topics close to everyday Filipino life: motorcycle taxis, water systems, and beyond.

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