Hotels in the US are reporting that anticipated demand for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not translated into strong hotel bookings, particularly among international arrivals.
According to a recent survey and report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), 80% of hotelier respondents in the US say hotel bookings are tracking below initial forecasts for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in June.
The hoteliers reported that domestic hotel bookings are outpacing bookings made by international travellers.
The report found that FIFA room block cancellations, international travel barriers and rising costs were key drivers of softened hotel demand.
FIFA room block overcommitment created an artificial early demand signal that has since recalibrated, with roughly 50% of respondents in host markets reporting material room block releases.
Between 65% and 70% of respondents across markets say visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns are also significantly suppressing international demand. These factors consistently rank as the top constraint on World Cup-driven 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,” said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of AHLA. “A range of factors has tempered early optimism, though forward indicators show there is still meaningful opportunity ahead. To fully realise that potential, the US and FIFA must ensure a welcoming and seamless experience for international travellers. That means avoiding unnecessary cost increases on visas and transportation to and from the games and discouraging local jurisdictions from adding last-minute tax hikes that hurt the games and consumers.”
The report draws on survey data from hoteliers across multiple host markets:
- Los Angeles: Between 65% and 70% of respondents reported booking pace below expectations, often in line with or behind a typical summer. Approximately half cited visa barriers, high labour costs, and distance from venues as meaningful constraints for World Cup attendees, alongside broader city policy challenges that continued to complicate operations.
- New York City: Approximately 66% of respondents reported softer-than-expected bookings that tracked with normal summer demand. More than 60% of New York City operators pointed to international travel barriers and geopolitical tensions as reasons for the soft bookings.
- Dallas and Houston: About 70% of respondents reported booking pace below World Cup expectations.
- Atlanta: Roughly 50% of respondents reported booking pace in line with or slightly ahead of expectations, driven largely by team base camps, strong air connectivity and diversified demand sources.
