.jpg?width=1170&name=FranklyHR_blog_Header%20(1).jpg)
Getting Your Workplace Ready for the 2026 World Cup
Apr 23, 2026 9:00:00 AM
Are you ready for some football? That’s what the game we call soccer is called in much of the world. In summer 2026, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup—likely the largest sporting event in history. With more teams and matches this time, 11 U.S. locations (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, NY/NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle) will welcome millions of visiting fans.
Even if you don’t follow The Premier League (or didn’t make it to the Tampa Bay Fan Festival this month) or support one of Major League Soccer’s 30 clubs, you likely have employees who will want to follow the World Cup (June 11th–July 19th). The tournament will drive visitor traffic and employee interest. Even businesses far from host venues may feel impacts from game schedules and travel patterns. Here are practical areas employers can plan for now.
1) Staffing & scheduling
- Forecast demand and staffing needs for peak days (including game days and local events).
- Plan coverage (cross-training, staggered shifts, temporary hires) and streamline onboarding.
- Monitor workloads and build in recovery time to reduce burnout.
- Get ahead of time-off requests with clear deadlines and consistent approval rules.
2) Operations & business disruption
- Assess traffic, road closures, delivery delays, and customer access impacts (especially near venues).
- Consider temporary adjustments to operating hours based on visitor patterns and event schedules.
- Communicate changes early to employees and customers (signage, email, website, internal channels).
- Create contingencies for supply interruptions and for higher demand on phones and networks.
3) Wage & hour compliance
- Budget for overtime and confirm that timekeeping can handle schedule changes.
- Reinforce meal/rest break compliance and staffing coverage for longer shifts.
- Review rules for on-call, waiting time, travel time, and remote work—before peak periods hit.
4) Workplace policies & culture
- Set expectations for game-related distractions (streaming, watch parties, and productivity) and consistently apply them.
- Confirm guidance on personal device use and network bandwidth for streaming.
- Clarify rules on office pools/gambling to avoid compliance and employee-relations issues.
- Look for low-risk morale boosts (team lunches, themed days, flexible scheduling where feasible).
5) Safety, security & preparedness
- Re-check facility security, crowd management, and visitor procedures if you expect higher foot traffic.
- Update and re-communicate emergency response plans; run a quick refresher with supervisors.
- Coordinate with building management and local advisories for event-day disruptions.
6) Customer experience & growth opportunities
- Make it easy to buy: reliable point-of-sale/payment options and adequate IT support.
- Welcome visitors: staff training for diverse customers, accessibility checks, and clear wayfinding.
- Market smartly: align promotions to local excitement while respecting FIFA intellectual property rules.
- Capture the long tail: collect feedback, encourage reviews, and follow up with new customers after the event.
Bottom line: planning now can reduce disruption, support morale, and help you serve customers well during a once-in-a-generation event.
