SoFi Stadium and FIFA ‘locked in a dispute over the revenue sharing agreement for the 2026 World Cup’

The ownership group behind SoFi Stadium is in a dispute with FIFA over its agreement to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SoFi Stadium, located in Los Angeles, is one of eleven venues that will host matches from the United States.

However, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) – owner of the SoFi Stadium and several sports teams – is not satisfied with the terms of the agreement to host matches in the tournament when it comes to revenue sharing between the stadium, FIFA and the other stadiums and cities, according to The Athletics.

That report also says Kroenke’s hoped-for “upfront payments would be recouped through commercial assets, which could refer to sponsorship, ticket sales, hospitality and matchday revenues, but those assets have yet to be realized in the manner KSE had hoped.”

It is not clear whether FIFA would consider transferring hosting duties in Los Angeles to other stadiums – such as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena or the LA Coliseum – if SoFi is unable to reach an agreement. Mail Sport has contacted the Los Angeles FIFA World Cup Host Committee for comment on this matter.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment and FIFA are reportedly in a revenue-sharing dispute

The dispute centers on the revenue that could be brought to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles

The Athletic says precise figures for each stadium and city are not clear. But according to FIFA’s December forecasts, $11 billion in revenue would be funneled into stadiums in the four years leading up to the 2026 World Cup.

According to those estimates, $3.1 billion of that revenue expectation would come from ticket sales and hospitality.

According to The Athletic, KSE feels “so strongly about the issue (that) the group has threatened not to host any more World Cup matches at all unless the deal is renegotiated by FIFA.”

Los Angeles has been one of the premier soccer cities in the United States since the country started taking the sport seriously in the 1990s.

Not only was Los Angeles one of the founders of Major League Soccer, but the aforementioned Rose Bowl also hosted the 1994 Men’s World Cup finals and the 1999 Women’s World Cup finals. The current Dignity Health Sports Park in the LA suburb of Carson hosted the 2003 Women’s World Cup final.

In a statement to The Athletic, the Los Angeles FIFA World Cup Host Committee said: ‘We are proud to be the Los Angeles Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Since being announced as the host city, we have worked closely with FIFA about many aspects of the event.

“The information you have shared does not accurately reflect the content of those ongoing, joint conversations. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is an invaluable partner to Los Angeles.

“In addition to having the premiere location in the world, KSE continues to provide incredible support to our committee. With KSE as a partner, Los Angeles will deliver the highest standards on the world stage.”

According to reports, KSE would withdraw from hosting matches at SoFi Stadium if a new deal is not struck

It is not clear whether FIFA can transfer hosting duties to the Rose Bowl or the LA Coliseum

The Athletic says FIFA officials are “surprised” by the “tenacity” of US cities and stadium owners during these discussions.

“In Qatar, the perception among many observers was that the Gulf state longed for the prestige and privilege of hosting a tournament, with the state bearing the costs of a project estimated to have cost well over $200 billion,” writes Adam Crafton from The Athletic.

‘Now, however, FIFA is negotiating with local cities and business people who want to run sustainable activities and implement a tougher agreement.’

SoFi Stadium was initially believed to be one of three potential host venues for the 2026 finals. The two frontrunners are now believed to be MetLife Stadium in the New York metro area and AT&T Stadium in suburban Dallas.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment also owns the English Premier League’s Arsenal, the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and the MLS’s Colorado Rapids.