MXMerchants around the Estadio Ciudad de México, a venue for the 2026 World Cup, reported lower-than-expected sales during the event. Pavlova, who owns a restaurant nearby, said her sales were only 20% of what she anticipated, significantly less than previous league matches. Restrictions such as not being allowed to place tables and chairs outside her small shop limited customer traffic, leading to mostly takeout sales. Similarly, Ivana, owner of a grocery store near another stadium, noted that large companies benefited more from the economic boost rather than small businesses. She mentioned that revenue typically increases during local football matches like those of América and Cruz Azul. Other merchants faced issues like alcohol bans and waste management problems, while some, like the taquería Los Pedregal, saw increased business.
Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple perspectives from different merchants affected by the World Cup, highlighting both negative impacts on small businesses and some positive outcomes for specific vendors. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the experiences of various stakeholders without overtly bias
