The after effects of World Cups: What happens to the host country’s stadiums and memorabilia in the subsequent years? | OneFootball

Cities and countries that host the World Cup spend years campaigning for the opportunity and pour billions into upgrading stadia and infrastructure to provide a truly world-class experience for players, spectators, the media, and the general public throughout the tournament.

All that effort can deliver on the initial promise, but more important is the long-term impact of hosting, as the legacy it leaves behind has to justify the cost and disruption that are drawbacks for any host nation.

As with any major project, there are success stories and embarrassments littering the history of the World Cup. Here are a few examples of how stadiums used in the tournament end up, and what becomes of the memorabilia generated in the rush to capitalise on the commercial opportunity such an event creates.

Triumphs and letdowns

The stadiums left behind after each World Cup comes to a close can enrich the community and provide much-needed facilities that local teams continue to harness for years to come. Equally, they can become an economic burden, with upkeep costs far outweighing any subsequent revenue generated.

An excellent example of a venue that didn’t justify its upfront or ongoing costs is the Arena Amazonas in Brazil, which was constructed for $300 million in a rainforest location that doesn’t have a top-flight local team to make use of it, and so in the 12 years since it opened, it has only seen sporadic use.

Conversely, modular stadium building and bolt-on enhancements for existing arenas have proven to be a better choice. Doha’s Stadium 974, made in part from repurposed shipping containers and with a plan for subsequent dismantling, is a particularly triumphant example of how to host the World Cup sustainably.

Similarly, existing stadiums in Canada for the 2026 World Cup have been expanded with extra seating, rather than starting from scratch. And what about soccer betting? Well, that’s another positive economic legacy of Canada’s hosting duties, as even after the additional seats and stands have been removed, the fans who filled them during big games will still be able to follow the sport and place bets.

Archiving and auctioning

Prominent structures like stadia created for the World Cup grab the headlines, but there’s also the vast volumes of kit and equipment involved in hosting the tournament which has to go somewhere once the final is over and the fans have flown home.

FIFA itself hangs onto a fair amount of this, as it has its own official museum in Zurich, Switzerland, where visitors can see match-used balls from iconic games, and also explore an archive of other pitch furniture, including corner flags and kits that players have donated.

Memorabilia also makes its way onto the private market, as there’s huge demand for authentic items worn or used in the World Cup. Some of it will turn up on eBay, of course, but the higher-value items tend to be auctioned in a more traditional way. For instance, in late 2023, a set of six match-worn shirts worn by Lionel Messi during the 2022 Qatar tournament sold at Sotheby’s for a staggering $7.8 million.

So, the fate of the stadiums and the memorabilia from every World Cup is not set in stone. Some will go on to make a positive impact and earn adulation for decades to come. Others will fade into obscurity. That’s true of teams and players in the game, so it’s an appropriate state of affairs, if anything.