Why Savvy Businesses Are Turning To Live Printing To Get The Most Out Of The 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be one of the biggest sporting events in recent history. As it makes its way to North America, from June 11th to July 19th, fans can expect exciting showdowns between 48 teams as they play an intense 104 matches across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. But what does this major event mean for businesses across the nation? For savvy brands, it offers a unique opportunity to reach more people than ever before.
Live activations are quickly becoming one of the most successful and lucrative marketing tools. Because they’re immersive and interactive, they get customers excited about your brand. Now pair that excitement with the adrenaline and emotion of a live sporting event like the World Cup, and you’ve got a recipe for success. Taking our extensive experience with on-site printing, we’ve created this ultimate guide to FIFA World Cup activations and how you can use them to propel your business to the next level.
Why the 2026 World Cup Is A Can’t-Miss Marketing Opportunity
As a business owner, you know how important it is to connect with your customers. But the truth is, it can be challenging to find new and effective ways to reach people. One of the biggest complaints we hear is how difficult it is to engage potential customers and build brand loyalty. That’s why when you have the opportunity to reach a large number of people at once, you need to take advantage of it. The World Cup is an event like no other. More than 6 billion fans are expected to follow along, with over 6.5 million attending in person. Matches will take place across the U.S. from Miami to Los Angeles and New York to Kansas City.
What does that mean for you? Access to high concentrations of emotional, adrenaline-fueled fans who are passionate and excited for souvenirs and memorabilia that mark this momentous occasion. And the proof is in the numbers. 70% of soccer fans say they’re more excited about the 2026 World Cup than previous years, with 55% stating that they’re more likely to purchase from brands that support their favorite athletes and teams. But it’s not enough to simply provide generic merchandise, if you really want to make the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime marketing opportunity, you have to stand out from the crowd. That’s where live printing comes in!
What Is Live Printing and Why Is It So Successful?
Live printing is an immersive, on-site printing service where customers bring their designs to life. Instead of choosing from pre-made items, they get to be part of the creative process, picking their favorite products, designing custom images, and watching their designs come to life. At Sunny Side Ink, we offer a wide range of on-site activation options, so you can choose the one that best aligns with your business. Some of our most popular include:
Live Screen Printing
Live screen printing is by far one of our most popular on-site services and is the perfect option for FIFA World Cup activations. Your customers can choose from an extensive library of pre-made logos or design their own, which is perfect for creating merch that supports their favorite team. Choose from a variety of apparel styles like hats, t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more. Our live screen printing is engaging and a crowd favorite. Customers enjoy the creative process and watching as their designs come to life in front of them!
Live Embroidery
Live embroidery is another popular choice that’s perfect for businesses looking to offer more elevated merch. Your customers will appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into every stitch. Our advanced embroidery machine offers an extensive selection of vibrant colors, and the customization options are truly unmatched. Customers can choose their color, font, and size for a one-of-a-kind design that’s second to none.
Live Laser Engraving
When you want to take your FIFA World Cup activations to the next level, turn to our premium live laser engraving. We use a state-of-the-art laser machine to create intricate logos and designs on almost any material, including leather, glass, wood, and metal. Laser engraving revolutionizes how businesses create high-quality, custom products with the ability to etch intricate designs and texts with unmatched accuracy and precision. In just a few minutes, your customers can have a stunning custom souvenir, made before their eyes, that they can cherish for a lifetime.
Hybrid Activations
Of course, with so many exciting on-site activation options, it can be hard to choose just one. Fortunately, with Sunny Side Ink, you don’t have to. After thousands of events and conferences across the country, we listened to our clients’ feedback. They wished they could offer more than just one live activation at a time. So, we made it happen. Our hybrid activations let you run two or more customization services simultaneously. Now your customers don’t have to choose just one live printing experience; they can enjoy multiple at the same time! Imagine the excitement your customers will feel as they choose a custom shirt for live screen printing and then watch as they get a hat embroidered. They’ll get to rep their favorite player or team with custom gear no one else has. Now you have multiple opportunities to connect with customers and get them excited about your brand!
Getting The Most Out Of FIFA World Cup Activations
While there’s no doubt that on-site live printing is one the best ways to promote your business, where you set up your booth matters. Here are the five best places to place FIFA World Cup Activations for the ultimate visibility and traffic.
Brand Pop-Ups
Co-hosting a brand pop-up near the venue is a great way to utilize traffic and promote your business. Don’t be afraid to partner with other brands that offer complementary merchandise and take advantage of the many benefits live activations offer.
Watch Parties
While there’s World Cup matches in 16 different U.S. cities, not all areas will have access to a venue. The good news is that you don’t have to be at the actual event to benefit from its activation opportunities. Consider hosting or attending a watch party, where you can set up your on-site live printing booth. Reach out to other nearby businesses for an even larger event with more attendance and greater outreach opportunities.
Corporate Events
Large sporting events like the World Cup attract high-value audiences. It’s very common to see corporate events centered around matches. Take advantage of these opportunities by setting up a live printing booth, where you can offer premium services like laser engraving to create high-end, prestigious merchandise.
On-Site Activation Tents
Set up your own on-site activation tent at the event for unmatched traffic and reach. While other brands will be stuck offering unoriginal merch, you’ll stand out by creating an immersive and interactive experience. Energetic, excited, and passionate fans will line up to create unique items that rep their team and are unlike anything else in the entire stadium.
Fan Zones and Festivals
Host cities are set to throw massive fan festivals that will draw enormous crowds. Setting up a booth at one of these events or in the stadium fan zone is the perfect way to reach customers who may or may not get to attend the actual match. While being inside the event is great, being out among the fans in open-air zones is where live printing shines. You’re giving fans the opportunity to take home one-of-a-kind merch and souvenirs from an event they’ll never forget.
Why Live Activations Beat Pre-Made Merchandise
As a business, it’s important to consider the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of your marketing opportunities. Here are the top reasons live activations will beat pre-made merchandise every time!
- Social media appeal – On-site live printing is extremely shareable and generates massive views. Customers film and post the experience, amplifying your brand’s voice.
- The experience is the product – FIFA World Cup activations make the experience the selling point. It’s not just about getting a cool souvenir; it’s about unleashing their creativity and bringing their imagination to life.
- It’s customizable – On-site activations let the customer create a design that they deeply connect with and capture a moment in time they never want to forget.
- They connect on an emotional level – Attending the World Cup is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so having the opportunity to design an item with their team’s logo, flag, or a player’s name is incredibly special. It turns the product from a piece of merchandise to a treasured keepsake they’ll want to wear again and again.
- There’s less waste – Live printing is the sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional pre-printed merchandise. Since everything is printed on demand, there’s no overstock or waste.
Promote your business like never before with interactive FIFA World Cup Activations. Live printing from Sunny Side Ink is proven to drive customer engagement and build brand loyalty, ensuring you make the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
