RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – FIFA World Cup 2026 is projected to be not just the world’s biggest sporting stage, but also a catalyst for massive national economic growth in countries where football is highly popular. This opportunity is being leveraged by Indonesia's public television network, Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI), the official broadcaster of the competition in Indonesia.

TVRI projects that communal viewing events (known locally as nonton bareng or nobar) will create a significant multiplier effect on economic activity across various regions. With the participation of 48 countries and 104 matches, the broadcaster hopes the tournament’s energy will simultaneously drive multiple business sectors.

TVRI’s 2026 World Cup Broadcast Media Center Coordinator, Ezki Suyanto, explained that the tradition of nobar in Indonesia has evolved into a highly productive economic activity. The emergence of thousands of viewing points is expected to trigger a surge in grassroots-level consumption.

“Each nobar location is a microeconomic ecosystem. There is rapid circulation of money, from venue rentals and catering services to the provision of supporting infrastructure. This is a golden moment where sports euphoria aligns with strengthening public purchasing power,” Ezki said in a statement in Jakarta, as quoted from TVRI's statement received by RRI Voice of Indonesia recently.

Ezki noted that the sector with the greatest opportunity to benefit is micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to him, opportunities include selling local culinary, selling merchandise, and organizing creative event services. The interactive nobar format also gives entrepreneurs a platform to reach wider audiences.

“We want to see coffee shops, restaurants, and local communities take advantage of this momentum to increase their revenue through creativity in delivering memorable viewing experiences for customers,” he added.

However, TVRI emphasized that the sustainability of this economic potential depends on well-organized events with proper licensing. Ezki stressed that legality serves as protection for business investments. Licensed nobar events ensure legal certainty, helping organizers avoid technical and legal risks that could disrupt operations. It also ensures that the economic contributions are properly recorded within a healthy and professional business ecosystem.

“Orderly organization is key so that this ‘profit harvest’ can be maximized without legal obstacles. By registering for official licenses, business actors demonstrate professionalism while also providing a sense of security for attendees,” Ezki concluded.

TVRI has provided an official web portal as the reference for registering and coordinating nobar activities. Through structured collaboration, the broadcaster hopes the 2026 World Cup will become an inclusive economic driver for all Indonesians.

For the first time since the 1990s, TVRI is serving as the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made in late 2025, with the kickoff of its World Cup programming beginning in February.

FIFA has described the 2026 edition as the largest FIFA World Cup ever. In addition to the expanded number of teams and matches, the tournament will, for the first time, be jointly hosted by three all-North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.