Borderland businesses hoping for more World Cup games

Borderland businesses are netting some big revenues during the World Cup.

Many say they’ve never seen such a frenzy of soccer fans in El Paso and because of that, they’re surpassing their goals at the cash register.

The World Cup has meant a world of business for local bars and restaurants and anyone selling anything to do with the game of soccer.

Lily Orozco has owned International Soccer in East El Paso for 22 years and she says business is as good as it’s ever been.

“I would say (it’s gone up) 75 percent, about 75 percent,” Orozco said. “We’re making some money!”

Orozco said thrilled fans are not hesitating to shell out $90 for an authentic jersey.

“I wish it would be every year, not every four years,” she said with a smile.

Nearly 25 million people watched the U.S. play Portugal on Sunday sending the World Cup into elite territory as a sports property when it comes to American television. It was the most-watched soccer game of all-time in the U.S. and ranked above the NBA finals and World Series.

“It’s been tremendous, it’s really great,” said Anthony Duncan, who owns the Corner Tavern in West El Paso and the Border City Ale House in East El Paso, both popular spots with U.S. and Mexico fans.

“June, after time when you get done with the NBA playoffs, you just get down to Major League Baseball,” he said. “Having the World Cup has been like having, better than NFL football really even.”

Duncan said sales are up as much as 600-percent at his bars during the World Cup.

“It gets loud, it’s rowdy,” Duncan said. “They score and everybody goes crazy, there’s beer flying through the air. It’s super! I wish there was two World Cups every year. That would be the best thing for everybody. I’ve never really seen anything like it. Four years ago it was very good, this is blowing that away.”