Hotel booking figures in US suggests fans are thinking twice about travelling to the World Cup

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Martin Macdonald | Author

FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously promised that the United States would enjoy a $30 billion economic boom thanks to the 2026 World Cup but that hasn't proved to be the case so far, judging by the underwhelming demand for hotel room bookings.

The US will host the tournament this summer along with Canada and Mexico but financial issues have cast a pall over the lead-up. Whether it be fans complaining about match tickets or the cost of travel or host cities complaining about the cost of security and infrastructure, money has been a major talking point.

Local businesses were hoping for a money boost this summer, but it's not working out that way.

According to a survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents over 30,000 properties, nearly 80% of hotels in host cities report that bookings for the World Cup are currently falling short of original projections.

More than 70% of survey participants in San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boston noted that booking rates are trailing expectations. Similarly, over 60% of respondents in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, and Dallas reported a slower-than-anticipated booking pace.

In Atlanta and Miami, it was around 50% that said booking rates were not meeting projections.

Alluding to feedback from AHLA members, the organisation concluded that “indicators suggest the anticipated economic lift [from the World Cup] may fall short of expectations.”

“Forecasts show that domestic travelers are outpacing international travelers — an imbalance that threatens the broader economic impact the World Cup was expected to generate,” the report states.

In addition to the huge costs of travelling to the World Cup, and indeed the spiked prices of hotel rooms, there are other major factors that are putting off international travellers who are thinking of visiting the US for the tournament.

Some sections of travelling World Cup fans will be "vulnerable to serious harm" in the United States, according to several civil rights organisations.

More than 120 civil society groups and MLS and NWSL-affiliated fan groups have published a travel advisory document to travelling fans of immigrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people and racial and ethnic minority groups warning them of the potential treatment they face in the USA,

The message issues a stark warning to everyone from fans, to players, to the media: "exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan." This call to action stems from the group’s concerns regarding an escalation of violence and authoritarianism under the Donald Trump administration.

There has been violence on the streets of the country after the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers under Trump. Since the beginning of 2025, 48 people have died while in ICE custody and in January, two American citizens - Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti - were shot and killed by ICE agents.

The advisory publication has highlighted six factors of concern:

- The arbitrary denial of entry and risk of detention and/or deportation

- Expanded limitations on travel and entry into the U.S.

- Invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices

- “Violent and unconstitutional” immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and other discrimination

- “Suppression” of speech and protest

-Serious risk of mistreatment while being held in immigration detention facilities

Should any potential traveller take heed of the advice from the group, it is possible they will think twice about going to the World Cup and that is undoubtedly having an impact on hotel room booking rates across the country.

There are travel bans for several countries while visitors from certain countries need to go through vigorous checks in order to be granted a visa, and the AHLA report cites “visa barriers” and “broader geopolitical concerns” as among the top factors in hotel room demand plateauing.

As for hotels themselves, the Athletic previously confirmed that prices has risen by 328% on average for a hotel room during the World Cup compared to three week before it starts.