The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) stated that the tourism boom expected from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has failed to live up to industry forecasts. Its survey covering association members in 11 U.S. host cities including Los Angeles and New York found that 80% reported hotel bookings lagging behind initial estimates.
Weak Hotel Bookings Across U.S. Host Cities
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) stated that the tourism boom expected from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has failed to live up to industry forecasts. Its survey covering association members in 11 U.S. host cities including Los Angeles and New York found that 80% reported hotel bookings lagging behind initial estimates. Sixty-five percent of respondents identified visa barriers and geopolitical concerns as the primary drags on international tourist arrivalsAHLA.
AHLA President Meyetta noted multiple headwinds have dimmed the originally upbeat outlook, yet massive economic potential still remains untapped. He urged the U.S. government and FIFA to jointly deliver a welcoming, seamless travel experience for overseas visitors to unlock the tournament’s full economic value.
Basic Tournament Background
This World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The opening match kicked off in Mexico City on June 11 local time, while the final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Record-High Global Ticket Demand Contrasts With Sluggish Hotel Demand
A FIFA official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that over five million match tickets have been sold to date, describing global ticket demand for this edition as unprecedented.
This stark disconnect between robust ticket sales and soft hotel reservations highlights a lopsided visitor structure: the bulk of ticket buyers are domestic U.S. fans who stay at private residences rather than booking hotel rooms, while cross-border fan travel is suppressed by cumbersome visa procedures and global geopolitical tensions.
