San Francisco has seen this movie before. There were fireworks, champagne toasts, and a street party that extended from the Bay to Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl 50 in 2016. But behind the scenes? There was a public tab on the NFL’s red carpet. San Francisco paid for the infrastructure and security, leaving city officials to question whether it was simply a glitzy celebration for billionaires. Santa Clara received reimbursement. San Francisco didn’t. The mayor bet on indirect returns. Taxpayers got hit.

Nearly a decade later, the World Cup is bringing back a well-known financial hangover with a $37 million headache and Jed York ‘s name on the aspirin bottle. Six FIFA World Cup matches are scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in 2026. Although football fans from all over the world

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