With just over a month to kick off, concerns are mounting over a potential hotel booking shortfall across major U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite strong ticket sales and global anticipation.
A “troubling” report from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) warns that the anticipated tourism boom is yet to materialise across key American host markets.
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The United States is set to co-host the expanded 48-team tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with 11 of the 16 venues located across the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. However, the AHLA report suggests that the expected surge in international visitors has not translated into corresponding hotel reservations.
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Bookings Lag Behind Expectations
According to the AHLA’s findings, despite over five million tickets already sold, hotel demand remains below projections. Nearly 80 percent of surveyed hoteliers across host cities reported that bookings are trailing initial forecasts, raising concerns about the tournament’s broader economic impact.
The report also highlights a growing imbalance between domestic and international travel demand, with U.S.-based visitors significantly outpacing inbound global fans.
Visa Delays, Rising Costs Weigh on Demand
A major factor behind the slowdown is the difficulty in securing U.S. visas, alongside broader geopolitical concerns. Nearly 70 percent of respondents identified these issues as key deterrents for international travellers.
Additionally, rising travel-related costs, including increased transportation fees and last-minute local taxes, are discouraging potential attendees from finalising travel plans.
Inflated Early Demand Signals
The report further points to an overestimation of early demand driven by FIFA room block allocations. Many hotels initially reserved large inventories in anticipation of bookings that have yet to materialise, with roughly half of respondents now reporting significant room block releases.
This has forced a recalibration across several markets, with early indicators overstating actual demand.
Uneven Demand Across Host Cities
Only a minority of host cities, particularly those with strong baseline tourism or confirmed team base camps, have recorded meaningful booking increases, accounting for roughly one-third of respondents.
Meanwhile, cities such as Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, and Dallas have significantly underperformed, with booking sentiment falling more than 50 percent below expectations in each market.
Call for Policy Adjustments
AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta noted that while enthusiasm remains high, the outlook is more complex than initially anticipated.
She urged policymakers and organisers to prioritise accessibility and affordability for international fans, including easing visa processes and avoiding additional cost burdens that could deter travel.
“Hotels across host markets have spent years preparing for the World Cup, and while there is real excitement, the data points to a more nuanced outlook,” Maietta said.
With time still on the clock, stakeholders remain hopeful that late booking trends and targeted policy interventions could yet drive a surge in demand ahead of kickoff.
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