World Cup 2026: Hotel Booking Trends in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

2 weeks ago 0

The upcoming World Cup, taking place in June and July across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, offers a significant opportunity for the hospitality industry. However, data from CoStar reveals a different picture for U.S. hotels compared to those in its neighboring countries.

Hotel Booking Data Analyzed

CoStar analyzed hotel bookings in 14 out of 16 World Cup host cities, excluding Kansas City and Philadelphia. Their data focuses on hotel bookings for the day of each match.

Canadian and Mexican cities dominate the top spots in bookings. Here is how cities rank in terms of booking percentages:

Guadalajara
Monterrey
Vancouver
Toronto
Mexico City
New York City
Boston
San Francisco
Seattle
Miami
Los Angeles
Dallas
Houston
Atlanta

Some cities have seen a decline in booking rates compared to the same dates in the previous year. Los Angeles, for example, reported a 23.6% booking rate on July 10, down from 24% the year before. There is speculation that hotels might be waiting for last-minute bookings as match dates approach.

Visa and Pricing Issues Affecting Demand

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released a report on May 4, indicating that 80% of hoteliers in host cities reported below-forecast bookings. Many attributed this to visa obstacles and geopolitical challenges linked to the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies.

Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO, emphasized the need for a positive experience for international visitors. She urged against unnecessary visa cost increases and warned against local tax hikes affecting travel to games.

High ticket prices themselves may deter some fans. According to the Associated Press, tickets for the June 14 semifinal in Arlington, Texas range from $2,705 to $11,130, while tickets for a semifinal in Atlanta start at $2,725. Limited demand has, however, made some tickets available for less than $100.

FIFA’s dynamic pricing strategy has drawn criticism. The approach adjusts ticket prices based on demand, a method scrutinized by legal authorities. In May, New York and New Jersey Attorneys General issued subpoenas to FIFA as part of a joint investigation into ticketing practices.

Increasing Interest in Alternative Accommodations

Data shared with Newsweek from Airbnb and Booking.com shows rising accommodation searches and bookings related to match dates, although hotel demand remains limited. Fans can expect inflated hotel prices in host cities during matches.