The American Hotel & Lodging Association conducted a survey in April indicating that room reservations for the World Cup have underperformed initial forecasts in the majority of the 11 U.S. host cities. Several metropolitan areas, including Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle, saw the majority of hotel operators report bookings trailing typical seasonal demand. In other major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston, demand remained essentially flat compared with regular spring and summer periods.
Industry representatives attributed the softer-than-expected bookings to multiple factors constraining international travel. These included travel hesitancy among international fans, apprehension about obtaining U.S. visas, and the significant financial barriers to attendance, encompassing elevated ticket prices and transportation costs in various cities. Michael Black, general manager at the Cloud One hotel in Manhattan, observed that while the tournament was expected to drive substantial booking growth, broader global conditions and other circumstances had produced different outcomes.
Hotels in Mexico, co-host of the tournament alongside Canada and the United States, similarly experienced slower-than-anticipated reservations. Mexico City accommodations, which will host the opening match on June 11, reported occupancy levels between 30% and 36% according to the Asociación de Hoteles de Ciudad de México. Many properties had raised rates significantly following the tournament schedule announcement, anticipating strong demand from soccer enthusiasts. Hotels near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey exemplified this pricing strategy, with nightly rates rising from approximately $200 to $800 during tournament matches and exceeding $1,300 before the July 19 final.
Observers noted that experienced tournament attendees typically await price reductions before booking accommodations. Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, indicated that seasoned travelers recognize hotel rates historically decline as events approach, with owners sometimes reducing prices substantially if initial demand disappoints. Alternative lodging options, including properties farther from stadiums and short-term rental platforms, have captured significant bookings, with Airbnb projecting its tournament-related guest numbers may exceed previous estimates and surpass the 2024 Paris Olympics in company history.
Some uncertainty remains regarding final outcomes. Tourism officials in affected cities maintained optimism about potential late bookings, and certain hotel operators reported occupancy increases compared with the previous year, though significantly below expectations outlined by tournament organizers. The global event’s effect on broader travel patterns also influenced results, with economists noting that major sporting tournaments can discourage non-tournament-related visitors through congestion, pricing concerns, and security measures.
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