Hotel operators across the 11 U.S. cities hosting the World Cup are reporting that advance room bookings have underperformed compared to pre-tournament projections, according to findings from an April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Bookings in cities including Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle are running below typical seasonal demand levels. Major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston are experiencing flat demand compared with regular spring and summer periods. Hotel industry representatives attributed the softer-than-expected performance to international travel concerns, apprehension about U.S. visa processing times, and the overall cost burden of attending the tournament, encompassing both ticket expenses and transportation fees in various cities.
Hotels had substantially raised their rates following the tournament schedule announcement, anticipating high demand from soccer enthusiasts willing to pay premium prices. Properties near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, for instance, increased nightly rates from approximately $200 to $800 during World Cup matches and over $1,300 before the final. However, experienced tournament travelers reportedly remain confident that prices will decline closer to event dates, similar to historical patterns at previous international sporting events.
Short-term rental platforms are capturing a portion of the expected demand, with data from AirDNA showing increased bookings in metropolitan regions around Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami. Airbnb reported that guest stays during the tournament are expected to exceed prior estimates and potentially surpass its 2024 Paris Olympics hosting record. Meanwhile, traditional tourism to host cities faces headwinds, as event-related congestion and elevated prices discourage typical leisure and business visitors.
Some industry representatives remain optimistic about eventual performance. The Hotel Association of New York City noted modest summer booking increases of approximately 10 percent, while Pebblebrook Hotel Trust leadership suggested occupancy rates at host city properties are up compared with the previous year, particularly in cities with marquee matchups. FIFA reported over 5 million tickets sold from more than 6 million offered across 104 matches, indicating substantial public interest despite hotel booking patterns.
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