Let’s be honest: countries fight over hosting the world cup every four years because of how much tourism and money it brings to the economy. It’s a way to rally support for the home country and get foreigners to take a closer look at the culture of the cities they’re visiting while the event is underway.
But is it worth the cost? Russia reportedly spent 11.6 billion dollars on the World Cup this year, as well as an additional 4.3 billion dollars on building nine new stadiums and repairing three existing ones. That’s a whopping 15.9 billion dollar total price tag on this soccer tournament. Compare that cost with the prediction that it will boost Russia’s economy by 31 billion dollars and create 220,000 new jobs, many people would say it is well worth it.
Compared to 2014’s Brazilian world cup, it’s not that much of a difference of price, either. Brazil spent around 15 billion dollars, about a billion shy of Russia’s tag. South Africa’s hosting in 2010, however, only spent 5.2 billion dollars.
And it’s not just soccer. Russia likes to go full force whenever they host events. The 2014 Sochi Olympics were the most expensive olympics to ever be held, costing Russia 51 billion dollars.
