World Cup 2026: Hotel Bookings in North America
As the World Cup approaches, Canada and Mexico are outpacing the United States in hotel bookings in host cities. The tournament, spanning June and July, offers a major opportunity for the hospitality industry in the three nations. However, new data reveals that U.S. hotels aren’t experiencing the same surge as those in Canada and Mexico.
World Cup Hotel Bookings: A Comparative Analysis
CoStar’s data investigates hotel bookings in 14 of the 16 host cities, excluding Kansas City and Philadelphia. The analysis focuses on match-day bookings. Mexican and Canadian cities top the list, with San Francisco leading U.S. cities. Below is the ranking based on average booking percentages:
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
- Vancouver
- Toronto
- Mexico City
- New York City
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Miami
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Houston
- Atlanta
Some locations in the U.S. have demonstrated a lower booking percentage compared to the previous year. For instance, Los Angeles shows a slight drop in bookings on July 10, 2026, compared to the same day in 2025. This trend suggests hoteliers might anticipate last-minute bookings closer to the event.
Visa Concerns and Pricing Impacting Demand
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) report from May highlights that 80% of hoteliers found bookings below forecasts. Visa barriers and geopolitical concerns under the Trump administration were cited as significant factors.
Rosanna Maietta, AHLA’s president, emphasized the importance of a smooth experience for international visitors. She advised against cost increases on visas and transportation and warned against possible local tax hikes.
The cost of World Cup tickets might also be limiting demand. Ticket prices for semifinals in Arlington and Atlanta range from over $2,700 to more than $11,000, with some tickets available under $100 due to low demand. FIFA’s dynamic pricing strategy, which adjusts prices based on demand, has faced criticism.
Authorities from New York and New Jersey have begun investigating FIFA’s ticketing practices.
Despite limited hotel demand, accommodation searches on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com have increased around match dates. Fans should expect higher hotel prices during these times.
World Cup 2026 Viewing Options
Soccer fans can watch the World Cup on Fox, FS1, Tubi, Telemundo, and Peacock.
World Cup Dates
The FIFA World Cup is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.