Pro soccer’s U.S. momentum got another boost in June, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup appears to have helped accelerate it. SSRS found that 15 million more Americans identified as pro soccer fans last month, while MLS teams have reported sharp ticket-sales gains as the league returned from its World Cup break.
According to SSRS, 49% of Americans said they were fans of pro soccer in June, up from 44% over the prior 12 months, while the share calling themselves avid fans rose from 10% to 15%. The number saying pro soccer was the sport they were most interested in “right now” nearly doubled, with 16 million more Americans calling it their top sports priority — a sign that the sport is not just adding casual followers but also pulling more immediate attention.
The World Cup provides an obvious backdrop for that surge. FIFA’s tournament concluded on July 19 in New York/New Jersey, and SSRS said the first month of World Cup play created “ideal conditions” for growth, though the polling does not prove causation. Still, the timing lines up with real-world behavior: Front Office Sports reported MLS ticket sales rising more than 150% in some markets, including a 218% jump for Philadelphia Union single-game sales and a 161% increase for Nashville SC online sales.
MLS has leaned into the moment with its “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here” campaign, plus team-level activations designed to convert World Cup attention into year-round support. Taken together, the survey data and ticket-sales surge suggest the tournament helped intensify a broader rise in U.S. soccer interest, even if the long-term effect remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see now how the “halo effect” of the World Cup will impact not only overall interest but also youth soccer participation in the months and years ahead. Keeping the momentum going will take focus and effort.
John Doe
Ron Stitt, Co-Founder, U.S. Soccer Parent