World Cup preparations ramp up across Santa Clara and San Jose
With less than two weeks until the FIFA World Cup, businesses in San Jose and Santa Clara are preparing for an influx of visitors, watch parties and six matches in the Bay Area.
We’re less than two weeks away from the FIFA World Cup, which means less than two weeks for cities, stadiums and businesses to prepare.
Preps are already underway at the stadium in Santa Clara and at San Pedro Square in San Jose.
WATCH HEREIt’s the biggest soccer tournament in the world, with six matches being played here in the Bay Area. Businesses say they’re ready and that this is the time to showcase who they are.
You can see and feel that the World Cup is fast approaching.
At the stadium in Santa Clara, FIFA World Cup 2026 signage is already up at the site of local matches.
And then about 15 minutes away at San Pedro Square, many are taking pictures with the Adidas Trionda soccer ball standing 10 feet tall. Just installed Friday, it’s one of 16 being created for World Cup host cities.
San Pedro Square is planning to be a destination for soccer fans as it hosts watch parties throughout the World Cup. Organizers plan to convert roughly 30,000 square feet of surrounding streets into a fan zone.
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“The San Jose Earthquakes are going to put a large screen here right in front of the pub, so all this area will be full,” said David Mulvehill, owner of O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub.
Mulvehill says the next two weeks are all about gearing up to welcome soccer fans.
“This is the biggest event to hit San Jose. The Super Bowl was huge, March Madness, but we have six weeks of nonstop futbol action down here,” said Mulvehill. “Obviously, you have to prep the staff to work longer hours and obviously bring in some extra help.”
At The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill, the staff is also getting ready.
“For me, being the morning bartender, it’s making sure I’m prepped, because if I don’t prep, then we’re just chaos at night,” said Brandon, a bartender at The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill. “So I gotta make sure I cut limes, make sure by the time we get hit by night, we’re ready to go.”
Preparation is essential. Businesses say it’s an opportunity for a boost in sales and to introduce themselves to new customers.
“I think we’re all excited [for] that foot traffic, new people, getting to be known around in the area, because even though we’ve been here for a while, there’s a lot of new customers that have not who Sushi Confidential is, so getting those people to come in is pretty good,” said Jennifer with Sushi Confidential.