It is rumored that Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) is considering not using their cutting-edge SoFi Stadium to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The dispute between Arsenal’s owners and FIFA is the result of an agreement regarding the SoFi Stadium’s hosting of World Cup games in 2026.
The $5.5 billion (£4.4 billion) stadium is a part of the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) business empire.
KSE has owned the Arsenal since 2018 in an outright capacity. The LA Rams, who are also owned by KSE, play in the cutting-edge arena in Los Angeles, which was inaugurated in 2020.
The stadium has been named as one of sixteen venues across the US, Canada, and Mexico where matches at the premier FIFA tournament will be held. The Athletic, however, has reported that despite the agreement to host games in three years, the owners of Arsenal are “unhappy” with the transaction.
The major sticking point is how revenue will be divided among FIFA, the cities, and the stadiums, with the latter issue raising concerns for KSE.
According to the report, the stadium’s owners hoped that any upfront payments would be recovered through commercial assets, which are believed to include sponsorship, ticketing, hospitality, and matchday revenue.
However, these assets allegedly have not materialized for KSE in the way they had hoped, and it appears that significant measures could be forthcoming.
If a new re-negotiation deal with FIFA cannot be reached, this may involve the Kroenkes choosing not to host any games at the upcoming World Cup.
The report continues by stating that KSE’s intentions regarding whether or not this incident represents a power play by the Kroenkes remain unclear.
It remains to be seen if KSE would actually withdraw the SoFi Stadium from hosting responsibilities.
FIFA had previously predicted that the period leading up to the next World Cup could be financially lucrative, citing a figure of $11 billion (£8 point 8 billion) in December.
$3 point 1 billion of forecasted ticket and hospitality sales is included in this sum.
The SoFi Stadium has been listed as one of the host locations for the following FIFA World Cup.
The Los Angeles FIFA World Cup Host Committee has since released a statement in response to rumors that there is conflict between FIFA and KSE.
We are honored to serve as the Los Angeles 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Committee, it said.
We have partnered closely with FIFA on a number of event-related projects ever since our selection as the host city was announced.
“The details you provided do not adequately capture the nature of those ongoing, cooperative conversations.
For Los Angeles, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is a crucial ally.
“In addition to having the best venue in the world, KSE continues to give our committee incredible support,” they continued. KSE as a partner will enable Los Angeles to perform at the highest level possible on the international stage.”.
FIFA added, “We have been collaborating closely on the details of delivering an unforgettable and unprecedented FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. We have a strong working relationship with LA and all 16 of our host committees.
S. in 2026.”.
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