1. Problem Statement: Why most locals miss out
Big events dump money into a city, but it often flows to:
• Hotel chains, not residents
• National brands, not neighborhood businesses
• Official sponsors, not creative locals
At the same time, families and players in the local soccer ecosystem are paying for travel, tournaments, private training, and college showcases. There’s a clear mismatch: money is coming through the city, but not necessarily into the hands of the people who live in it.
Most locals miss out for three reasons:
1. They don’t see the real visitor problems.
They think “I don’t own a hotel or restaurant, so there’s nothing for me.”
2. They underestimate what they already have.
A spare bedroom, a driveway, local knowledge, a camera, a grill – all can be assets.
3. They’re scared of getting in trouble.
Permits, food safety, zoning, taxes, and IP law are real; ignoring them is how you get fined or shut down.
The opportunity is simple:
Match what you already have to what visitors actually need – and formalize it just enough to be legal and credible.
⸻
2. Shared playbook: what visitors actually need
Every big event – World Cup, WrestleMania, All-Star, the 250th – generates the same six buckets of demand:
1) Sleep – “Where do I stay?”
Visitors need:
• Safe, clean, convenient places to sleep
• Easy access to stadiums, fan festivals, and transit
• Clear, honest expectations (no surprises on noise, parking, or shared spaces)
You can plug in by:
• Short-term rentals (whole units or rooms, where legal)
• Hosting players’ families or supporters with clear house rules
• Offering “quiet, family-friendly” vs “late-night, social” stays
⸻
2) Eat & drink – “I’m hungry, and I don’t want to waste time.”
Visitors want:
• Fast, tasty food before/after matches
• Local flavor (not the same chains they have at home)
• Late-night options when games or events end
You can plug in by:
• Pop-up food stands (with permits)
• Pre-order meal pickup for groups (teams, supporter clubs)
• Collaborations with existing restaurants to run “match-day menus” or late-night hours
⸻
3) Move – “How do I get there? Where do I park?”
Visitors care about:
• Not missing kickoff or main events
• Avoiding ticketing/towing disasters
• Simple, idiot-proof directions
You can plug in by:
• Driveway / yard parking near transit or stadiums (where allowed)
• Private shuttles or shared rides from key hubs (airport, train, Center City)
• Printed or digital “How to get from X to the stadium” guides
⸻
4) Know – “What’s good, what’s safe, what’s local?”
Visitors don’t want to:
• Wander into unsafe or dead areas
• Waste nights on bad bars or tourist traps
• Miss the real local culture
You can plug in by:
• Neighborhood guides (PDFs, maps, mini-websites)
• Curated lists: “3 safe, local spots within 10 minutes of your hotel”
• Paid WhatsApp/Telegram concierge groups for visiting supporter groups
⸻
5) Experience – “What’s the story of this city?”
Visitors want:
• Culture: art, music, food, history
• Context: “What does this city care about?”
• Experiences that fit between games and events
You can plug in by:
• Walking tours, street art tours, “soccer culture” tours
• Watch parties and pick-up games
• Collaborations with local artists, DJs, and venues
⸻
6) Remember – “How do I take this home?”
Visitors want:
• Photos, videos, and keepsakes
• Locally rooted merch (not just official sponsor gear)
• Ways to tell their story of being there
You can plug in by:
• Photography and short-form video packages (content for their socials)
• Original, non-infringing merch: city-themed, player-culture themed, but not using official logos
• Printed zines or digital photo books of their trip
If what you offer clearly hits one or more of these six buckets, you’re in the game.
⸻
3. Process Breakdown: who you are, and how you can plug in
Below are concrete ideas based on who you are rather than what event is coming. Use Philadelphia examples, but the logic applies anywhere.
⸻
A. Local homeowner / renter with extra space
You own or rent a place with:
• Spare bedroom or finished basement
• Driveway or backyard
• Walkable access to a transit line or stadium-adjacent area
What you can do:
1. Short-term stays (Sleep).
• List a room or whole unit on a major platform during event weeks.
• Offer clear categories: “Quiet family stay” vs “Supporter group crash pad.”
• Add small upgrades: blackout curtains, earplugs, late checkout, luggage storage.
2. Parking and “park + ride” (Move).
• If you’re near a transit stop or on a straight route to the stadium, offer pre-booked driveway/yard parking where local rules allow.
• Bundle in a printed map or QR code with directions, transit info, and food recommendations.
3. Host families / supporter-group base (Know + Experience).
• You can turn your place into a mini “clubhouse” for a specific country or club’s fans – again, without using official logos or marks.
• Simple extras: welcome signs in their language, basic snacks, and a list of local spots.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Check city rules on short-term rentals and whether you need to register.
• Confirm if your lease or HOA rules even allow short-term rentals and extra parking.
• Understand how the extra income affects your taxes.
⸻
B. Local food talent (home cook, pop-up chef, or restaurant)
You can cook, bake, or already run a food business.
What you can do:
1. Pop-up match-day menu (Eat & drink).
• Work with an existing bar, café, or community space to run a limited menu on match days.
• Target “fast, hand-held, portable” options for fans moving to or from the stadium.
2. Pre-order team meals (Eat & drink + Move).
• Offer big, predictable pre-game or post-game meals for traveling teams, supporter groups, or fan buses.
• Sell via simple forms: “Pick your time, headcount, and allergies – food ready when you arrive.”
3. Neighborhood tasting nights (Experience).
• Partner with a local bar or small venue to host “Taste of [Neighborhood]” nights between matches.
• Bundle food, music, and a short neighborhood story.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Food handling permits and health inspection rules.
• Whether you can cook from home or must use a certified kitchen.
• Liability insurance if you’re feeding large groups.
⸻
C. Driver / car owner / logistics person
You own a car or van and know the city better than any app.
What you can do:
1. Private shuttles (Move).
• Offer fixed-route shuttles: “Airport → Center City hotels → Stadium” at set times.
• Sell seats via supporter groups, tour operators, or pre-event coordination.
2. Gear, not people (Move + Remember).
• Help teams move bags, equipment, cameras, or merch between venues.
• Offer secure storage and transfer rather than passenger rides if rideshare rules are tight.
3. Last-mile solutions (Move + Know).
• For locations where Uber drops you off far from the stadium entrance, help with “last-mile” runs: from transit stops to specific gates or fan zones.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Local rules for commercial passenger transport.
• Insurance for commercial use of your vehicle.
• Distinction between official rideshare driving and private shuttle contracts.
⸻
D. Content creators, photographers, and videographers
You can shoot, edit, or run social media.
What you can do:
1. Fan content packages (Remember).
• Offer mini photo shoots at iconic city spots before/after games.
• Package short vertical videos: “Your World Cup in 30 seconds.”
2. Team and supporter storytelling (Experience + Remember).
• Document a supporter group’s entire trip: arrival, watch parties, stadium day, and city experiences.
• Sell edited reels they can post or bundle into a trip recap.
3. Local intelligence content (Know).
• Build city-specific guides on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube: “How to do [City] in 48 hours for the World Cup.”
• Monetize via sponsorships, referrals to local businesses, or paid “premium” itineraries.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Respect event venue rules on professional equipment and commercial shoots.
• Avoid using official event logos or trademarked phrases in your branding.
• Understand basic contracts: who owns footage, what usage rights they get.
⸻
E. Local soccer coaches, trainers, and clubs
You’re already in the soccer ecosystem: coaching, running clinics, or managing a club.
What you can do:
1. Drop-in training sessions (Experience).
• Offer 60–90 minute technical sessions for visiting youth players during off days.
• Target families that don’t want their kids to “lose a week” of training while traveling.
2. Cultural exchange pick-up games (Experience + Remember).
• Organize structured pick-up: locals vs. visitors, with a photographer and a simple game format.
• Sell it as a “play with locals” experience rather than just renting a field.
3. Player-pathway info nights (Know).
• Run sessions for visiting families on how the U.S. development system works, what MLS NEXT is, what college coaches look for, etc.
• Record them and sell replays or PDFs.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Field permits and facility insurance.
• Participant waivers and medical forms.
• Youth protection policies (background checks, supervision ratios).
⸻
F. Artists, designers, and makers
You can create.
What you can do:
1. City-first, event-adjacent merch (Remember).
• Design gear that emphasizes the city and fan culture, not the official event branding.
• Example: “Philly Loves Football” or neighborhood-based designs – without using protected logos, names, or marks.
2. Live art at fan zones or bars (Experience + Remember).
• Paint murals, do live sketches, or create custom flags and banners on-site.
• Partner with venues that want authentic local touches.
3. Digital souvenirs (Remember).
• Create digital posters, wallpapers, and social media frames for fans to commemorate their trip.
Compliance watchpoints:
• Do not use official event logos, mascots, or branded names in your designs.
• Understand where you can sell (inside official zones vs independent spaces).
• Avoid “ambush marketing” – pretending to be an official partner when you’re not.
⸻
4. Staying legal and credible: permits, taxes, and IP
This is where most good ideas die – or get shut down during the event.
A. Permits and zoning
Key questions to answer for your city:
• Do I need a license to:
• Rent out my home short-term?
• Sell food (even from a pop-up or cart)?
• Run a street stall, table, or vendor tent?
• Are there designated vending zones near stadiums and fan areas?
• Do temporary event permits exist for short-term vendors?
The principle:
If you’re visible and making money in public, assume some level of permit is required.
⸻
B. Taxes and simple business structure
You don’t need a complex corporate structure to run a legal side hustle around big events, but you should:
• Decide whether you’re operating as a sole proprietor or setting up a simple LLC.
• Keep clear records of:
• Money in (payments, tips, deposits)
• Money out (supplies, permits, transport, rentals)
• Understand local sales tax rules on:
• Food
• Merchandise
• Digital products (guides, content, etc.)
Think in terms of credibility: families, teams, and brands feel safer paying people who look organized and legitimate.
⸻
C. Intellectual property (IP) and “ambush marketing”
The fastest way to get shut down is to piggyback directly on protected branding.
Baseline rules:
• Don’t use official event names, logos, or mascots on your merch, marketing, or social handles.
• Don’t present yourself as “official” or “partnered” if you’re not.
• Do use:
• City names
• Neighborhood identities
• Generic soccer language (“football”, “global game”, “beautiful game”) that isn’t trademarked.
Example:
• Bad: T-shirts with the exact official tournament logo and name.
• Better: T-shirts that say “Philly Football Festival 2026” with a unique local design that clearly isn’t official.
You’re not trying to look like a sponsor. You’re trying to be the best local experience around the sponsor.
⸻
5. Actionable next steps: turning this into a plan
Here’s a simple roadmap you can adapt to any upcoming big event.
Step 1 – Choose your lane (this week)
• Pick one or two of the six core visitor needs that match your assets:
• Sleep, Eat & drink, Move, Know, Experience, Remember
• Pick your identity bucket:
• homeowner, cook, driver, creator, coach, or artist
• Write one sentence that defines your offer, for example:
• “I offer safe, local stays near transit for visiting families.”
• “I run fast, local food pop-ups within 10 minutes of the stadium.”
• “I create ‘your trip in 30 seconds’ video packages for fans.”
If you can’t describe it in one sentence, it’s too fuzzy.
⸻
Step 2 – Map the rules and constraints (next 2–3 weeks)
• Look up:
• Short-term rental rules, vending rules, or transport rules that apply to your lane.
• Whether your current lease, HOA, or insurance allows what you want to do.
• Make a simple checklist:
• Permits required
• Insurance needed (if any)
• Basic costs and timelines
If something is unclear, assume you cannot do it in the most obvious/visible way and look for a less regulated angle (e.g., partnering with an already licensed venue).
⸻
Step 3 – Build a minimal, credible offer (next 1–2 months)
Create three simple pieces:
1. A clean landing point
• This can be a one-page website, Linktree, or a clear social profile.
• It should say:
• What you do
• For whom
• When
• How to book or contact you
2. A basic pricing structure
• Keep it simple: a small menu of clear options.
• Example: 3 photography packages, 2 tour lengths, 2 housing types.
3. Proof and trust markers
• Testimonials from previous clients, even outside big events.
• Photos of your space/product/work.
• Clear rules (house rules, cancellation policy, timing windows).
⸻
Step 4 – Connect to demand (3–6 months before the event)
Don’t wait for random tourists to “discover” you.
• Reach out to:
• Supporter groups for specific national teams or clubs.
• Youth clubs traveling for tournaments or events.
• Fan media, podcasts, and local blogs covering the event.
Offer them something that makes their job easier: reliable housing, meals, logistics, or content they can share.
⸻
Step 5 – Execute and improve (during the event)
When the event hits:
• Focus on reliability and clarity:
• Show up early.
• Over-communicate directions, timing, and what’s included.
• Capture:
• Photos of your setup.
• Testimonials and quick quotes from visitors.
• Lessons learned on pricing, timing, and what sold out.
Those assets become leverage for the next event.
⸻
Step 6 – Turn one event into a long-term asset (after the event)
After everything ends:
• Turn your best ideas into:
• Standing offers for concerts, other sports events, and conventions.
• Repeatable packages for visiting teams and families.
• Use the social proof:
• “We hosted X families during World Cup week.”
• “We ran Y tours for fans from Z countries.”
You’re not just chasing a one-time spike. You’re building a local micro-business that can ride every big event that comes through the city.
⸻
Bottom line:
You don’t need to be a sponsor, a hotel chain, or a restaurant group to make real money from major events in Philadelphia (or any host city). You just need to:
• Plug into what visitors actually need (Sleep, Eat, Move, Know, Experience, Remember), and
• Stay disciplined about permits, taxes, and intellectual property.
Do that, and every World Cup match, All-Star Game, WrestleMania, and national celebration becomes less of a spectacle you watch – and more of a moment you participate in as a builder.
--
Tags