World Cup hotel bookings lower than expected in some cities

Hotel bookings in some World Cup host cities are lower than last year. For example, Vancouver is down from this time in 2025.
By Newsroom | Sports, Business |

Disconnect Between Anticipation and Reality

US hotel owners anticipated a substantial economic upswing with the impending World Cup, a sentiment amplified by visible tournament-related preparations across host cities. Yet, this expected boom appears, so far, to be more theoretical than actualized. Reports from multiple sources indicate that bookings are not only failing to meet projections but, in several instances, are falling behind typical seasonal demand from the previous year.

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The prevailing sentiment among hoteliers is one of underwhelm, with industry bodies reporting lower bookings in World Cup host cities compared to this time last year. This suggests a significant gap between the industry's high hopes and the current on-the-ground reality.

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Uneven Performance Across Host Cities

While some host cities are experiencing a slight uptick in occupancy rates compared to last year, this is not a universal phenomenon. Cities hosting more high-profile matches, such as Boston, are reportedly performing better. Conversely, others, like San Francisco and Seattle, are seeing bookings lagging behind typical seasonal demand. In Vancouver, Canada, occupancy is even down from the same period last year, though there remains a degree of optimism for a last-minute surge.

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New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston report demand that is flat, aligning with ordinary spring and summer rates rather than an elevated tournament-driven influx. This uneven performance may be attributed to the distribution of matches, with a record 104 games spread across 16 cities potentially diluting demand across a wider geographical area.

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Factors Contributing to the Shortfall

Several potential factors are being discussed that may explain the underwhelming booking figures:

  • High Prices: Many hotels reportedly inflated their rates after the tournament schedule was announced, anticipating a strong demand from fans willing to pay premium prices. This may have priced out a significant segment of potential visitors.

  • Shifting Demand: While traditional hotel bookings lag, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are showing an uptick in bookings in metropolitan regions such as Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. This indicates a potential shift in accommodation preferences rather than a complete lack of interest.

  • Spread of Demand: The unprecedented expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and 104 matches, spread across numerous cities, could be diluting the impact on any single host location, making the anticipated boom feel like a "non-event" for some.

The industry appears to be holding out hope for a last-minute influx of fans, particularly international visitors whose booking windows might extend closer to the event. However, with the tournament’s kickoff approaching, this hope is increasingly tinged with the reality of present booking trends.

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Background: The FIFA World Cup is a quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the senior national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The 2026 tournament is unique in that it will be jointly hosted by three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the latter serving as the primary host. This expanded tournament features 48 teams and a record 104 matches, a significant increase from previous iterations. The economic projections for host cities, particularly concerning the hospitality sector, were substantial, with expectations of a major boost in tourism and revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are World Cup hotel bookings lower than expected in some cities?
Hotels in cities like San Francisco and Seattle have fewer bookings than usual for this time of year. This is happening even though the World Cup is coming soon. Some hotels are even seeing fewer bookings than last year.
Q: Which World Cup host cities are seeing lower hotel bookings?
Cities like San Francisco and Seattle are seeing hotel bookings that are lower than typical demand. Vancouver, Canada, has even fewer bookings than the same time last year. New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston have bookings similar to normal times.
Q: What are the reasons for fewer hotel bookings for the World Cup?
High hotel prices might be making people not book. Also, more people are using short-term rentals like Airbnb instead of hotels. The World Cup has many more games and cities this year, so the impact is spread out.
Q: Are short-term rentals like Airbnb more popular for the World Cup?
Yes, short-term rental platforms are seeing more bookings in many cities. This suggests people are still traveling for the World Cup but are choosing different places to stay than hotels.
Q: Will more people book hotels closer to the World Cup?
Hotel owners hope for more bookings from fans, especially from other countries, closer to the event. However, current booking numbers are lower than expected, making this uncertain.