Puebla businesses see smaller-than-expected World Cup economic boost

Local merchants in Puebla said the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated a far weaker economic spill‑over than national forecasts. Cámara de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo president Héctor Landero Camacho reported that hotel occupancy and restaurant traffic did not rise significantly, as most visitors preferred to watch matches at home.

Only fast‑food outlets and take‑away services recorded a notable increase, with the food‑delivery segment growing by about 80 %. The bulk of the estimated 50 billion‑peso national impact was concentrated in the host cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, where eight matches were held. Landero noted that Puebla’s tourism and commerce sectors fell short of expectations and that the upcoming Chamber leadership will focus on supporting local businesses.

The Chamber also highlighted recent flood damage affecting hundreds of micro‑entrepreneurs in the historic centre, urging better municipal drainage and waste‑management measures.