• Cable andstreaming spending increased 42% as football fans tuned in to follow FIFA World Cup 2026™
• Online spending on sporting goods and merchandise increased 24% within a week of kick-off
• Weekday restaurant dine-in spending increased 16% during the Roundof 32 stage

Dubai, 22July 2026 – Visa, the Official Payment Technology Partner of FIFA World Cup 2026™, today released data highlightingspending patterns in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the tournament.

Analysis by Visa Consulting & Analytics shows increased spendingon Visa consumer cards across streaming services, sports merchandise, food delivery and dining categories throughout the Group Stage and Round of 32 matches (11 June–4 July).

Nicolas Khoury Visa

Streaming and sports merchandise spending increased as the tournament began

With the tournament getting started,spending on cableandstreaming services increased 42% per day between 10 and 23 June compared to preceding days. Elevated interest in sports-related purchases was also observedin those early days.Within a week of kick-off, online spending on sportinggoods andmerchandise increased 24% compared to preceding days.

Fast food delivery and dining spend increased during the latter stages of the tournament

As the tournament progressed into the final weekend of the Group Stage (26–28 June), fast food delivery spending increased 12% compared to thesame weekend in the previous month. Meanwhile, weekdayrestaurant dine-in spendingrose16% during the Round of 32 matches(particularly between 30 June and 2 July) compared to weekdays before the tournament, askey knockout fixtureshelpeddrive midweek gatherings and socializing.

“Global sporting moments like the FIFA World Cup 2026™ create a powerful ripple effect beyond the pitch, bringing people together while driving meaningful activity for local businesses and communities. As a proud partner of FIFA World Cup 2026™, we’re excited to see how fans engage during these moments, and the role of digital payments in supporting economic impact and connected commerce,”said Nicolas Khoury, SVP, Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics, CEMEA, Visa.

Ends

Methodology

This analysis provides insights into retail spending activity during the Group Stage and Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, spanning 11 June to 4 July 2026. Findings are based on aggregated Visa payment transactions and are used to assess changes in consumer spending behavior during key tournament stages, match days, and weekends. This comprehensive analysis identifies shifts across spending categories, offering valuable insights into consumer spending behaviors and emerging trends, helping retailers and businesses better understand how major sporting events influence consumer spending pattern.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.