Living Cities frames Philly’s World Cup as a test of lasting local wealth

Living Cities is using its Capital + Culture series to argue that Philadelphia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opportunity should be judged by long-term community wealth, not just tourist spending and headline economic activity. The group says the real question is whether global investment reaches neighborhood businesses, workers and residents before and after the matches.

Why it matters: - Philadelphia is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup, bringing global attention, millions of visitors and new investment to the region. - Living Cities argues the bigger test is whether that activity creates lasting economic opportunity in the neighborhoods that define the city. - The group says major events can generate billions in activity without ensuring local business growth, workforce access or neighborhood wealth. - The outcome could shape whether the World Cup becomes a short-term boost or a long-term economic legacy for Philadelphia.

What happened: - Living Cities launched a Capital + Culture series focused on how major sporting and cultural events can create durable economic opportunity for host communities. - The series uses Philadelphia as a case study for how global events can strengthen community wealth, entrepreneurship, workforce participation, neighborhood investment and local ownership. - Joe Scantlebury, president and CEO of Living Cities, said the more important issue is economic participation, not just economic impact. - Scantlebury said success should be measured by who gets the chance to build businesses, create wealth and participate in the future created by the investment.

The details: - Philadelphia’s neighborhoods have long been engines of entrepreneurship, innovation, culture and civic life. - Small businesses, commercial corridors, cultural institutions and community organizations have shaped the city’s identity for generations. - Living Cities says the World Cup should strengthen those existing assets rather than simply spotlight them. - The group points to key questions around who receives contracts, who gains access to capital and who builds new customer relationships. - Other questions include who expands a business, who secures workforce opportunities and who builds wealth that remains in Philadelphia after the final match. - Living Cities says the tournament’s legacy should not be judged only by attendance, hotel occupancy, tourism spending or projected economic impact. - The group says a more meaningful legacy would include stronger neighborhood commercial corridors, expanded local businesses, workforce pathways to economic mobility and community assets that keep creating opportunity. - Living Cities has operated for 35 years as an Action Engine for Equitable Cities, working with philanthropic foundations and financial institutions to close income and wealth gaps in the United States. - The organization says it focuses on policy and systems change, profitable and inclusive wealth-building, and reducing barriers to capital through knowledge sharing and collective action. - More information is available in Living Cities’ announcement.

Between the lines: - The release reflects a broader shift in how host cities are being asked to think about mega-events: not just as visitor magnets, but as tests of who benefits locally. - Philadelphia’s existing business and neighborhood networks give the city a chance to turn outside investment into local ownership, but that will depend on access to contracts, capital and markets. - Living Cities is effectively arguing that economic development should be judged by distribution, not just total dollars.

What's next: - As the World Cup approaches, the key question will be whether local stakeholders can convert incoming spending and investment into durable gains for Philadelphia residents and businesses. - The city’s long-term payoff will depend on whether the event leaves behind stronger firms, better workforce pathways and assets rooted in neighborhoods. - Living Cities says the most important measure will be who had the opportunity to build from the investment once the matches end.