tcu
Goal? Fort Worth small businesses hope for an economic screamer from World Cup
By Bob Francis at Fort Worth Report
· June 21, 2026
· 6 min read
Rex Benson wanted something as big as Texas to draw attention to his sports bar, Rex’s Bar & Grill, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I told my team I basically wanted a soccer ball so large that NASA could see it from space,” he said. “I’m not quite sure I understood just how large a 25-foot soccer
Key takeaway “I’m not quite sure I understood just how large a 25-foot soccer ball would actually be.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The World Cup's potential economic impact on Fort Worth is a pressing concern for local business owners like Rex Benson, who are eager to capitalize on the international event. As the city's small businesses hope to score big, they face competition from neighboring cities like Dallas and Arlington, which may be drawing more attention from visitors. The fact that TCU was not selected as an official team base camp may have contributed to this perceived snub, potentially costing Fort Worth some of the limelight. However, local landmarks like the Stockyards and Billy Bob's are likely to still attract their share of visitors, and businesses like Rex's Bar & Grill are finding ways to market themselves and bring in customers. With the University of Texas at Dallas estimating that most of the 2.7 million visitors to Arlington will be spending dollars locally, Fort Worth businesses will be watching closely to see how much of that economic benefit trickles their way.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: tcu ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Rex Benson wanted something as big as Texas to draw attention to his sports bar, Rex’s Bar & Grill, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I told my team I basically wanted a soccer ball so large that NASA could see it from space,” he said. “I’m not quite sure I understood just how large a 25-foot soccer
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bob Francis at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more tcu coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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