Louisville businesses see sales grow as World Cup begins

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The FIFA World Cup has only just begun and Louisville-area businesses are already seeing sales grow.

Molly Malone's co-owner Tadhg O'Callaghan shared video from Friday's U.S. vs. Paraguay watch party.

O'Callaghan said the Irish pub seats 149 inside and 150 people outside.

"We were full to capacity," he said.

O'Callaghan said their sales doubled Friday. With the games in the United States this year, many restaurants and bars showing the games are getting even more foot traffic during their dinner and late-night hours.

"Every four years the World Cup is held, and it's in different time zones. One year it was in Japan, and the games were at 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.," O'Callaghan said. "Being in the USA, the games are at a perfect time for us. Each World Cup just gets bigger and bigger for us."

Fans like Jose Huerta have been participating in all the excitement. Huerta said he and his friends watched the U.S. vs. Paraguay game at O'Shea's Friday.

They were at Molly Malone's watching other games Saturday.

"I like Mexico's chances to make it really far," Huerta said. "I want to see Brazil make a good run at it."

The U.S. competes against Australia on Friday.