AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) – A soccer exhibition game between Argentina and Iceland is two weeks away from hitting the pitch at Jordan Hare Stadium.
Auburn Opelika Tourism says the economic impact generated from this event will be well into the millions.
Auburn University Athletic Department expects a nearly sold out crowd for the match, one of only six Road to 26 matches in the country ahead of the World Cup.
First international match comes during summer slowdown
The match between Argentina and Iceland ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first ever international soccer match for Jordan Hare Stadium.
“When the students are out of town things do tend to slow down for us, so the fact that the community is hosting something like this, it’s great for our economy, it’s great for my staff,” said a representative from Auburn Opelika Tourism.
There are 23,000 ticket holders who have never purchased a ticket to an Auburn event, according to Auburn Opelika Tourism.
“The downtown merchants are planning specials, and the entertainment district hopefully if that gets approved,” the representative said.
Auburn Opelika Tourism set up a 17-foot tall soccer display to help get the community excited ahead of the game.
“People have gotten excited, they’ve had their picture made. We’re doing promotions for people that come, ticket giveaways for getting their picture and sharing it on socials,” the representative said.
Visitors from 47 states, 4 countries expected
Forty-seven states and four different countries will all be represented at the June 9 match, helping make up for the absence of college students during the summer months.
“It’s often times during these seasons that we look at cutting back on hours, we’re checking those things a lot more stringently than we would be during our busy seasons,” the representative said.
The first World Cup match in Atlanta is just a few days after the soccer friendly, and it is the final exhibition game for Argentina.
“We have surmised that maybe people will be staying from Montgomery up to Atlanta,” the representative said.
“We would love it if 40,000 more people showed up, even if they didn’t have tickets and they’re just hanging out and eating in our restaurants, and drinking in our bars, and hanging around town.”
Auburn Opelika Tourism says the planning for this event has gone on for months.
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