For years, the tournament was expected to generate substantial revenue for America’s travel sector, which is currently facing a decline in international visitors, amidst what rights organizations describe as a climate of fear.
The influx of fans that hotels were counting on has yet to materialize, leading many to reduce their prices. Flight bookings have decreased as ticket costs have surged. The high prices of match tickets have further dampened demand, and industry analysts indicate that enthusiasm is lower compared to previous World Cups.
This sluggish start implies that the traditional World Cup travel model—often reliant on international fans willing to journey long distances and spend significantly—may be faltering. Instead, the high costs, visa challenges, and the logistics of attending matches across 16 host cities in three countries have deterred many.
American travelers, in a nation where soccer is not as popular as in Europe, are not stepping in to fill the void.
“It’s overall a disappointment. There’s no other way to put it,” said Vijay Dandapani, CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City. He noted that the association has reduced its forecast for hotel room revenue relating to the World Cup by 60% to around $60 million.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Last Minute Demand Yet To Materialise
Year-over-year flight bookings from Europe to most host cities for June and July are down an average of 3.8%, according to Cirium, even after Europeans had already cut back on travel to the US last year. Bookings from Europe into New York, the site of the July 19 final, have decreased by 15.8%, Cirium reported.
FIFA had estimated that 1.2 million fans would flock to the city, but Dandapani mentioned that the New York Hotel Association now anticipates only half a million.
He noted a slight increase in bookings from fans in the UK and Norway recently, which he referred to as a “positive sign.”
Hotels are hoping for a last-minute surge after the group stages wrap up, following a disappointing start. On average, bookings across host cities have increased by just 0.5% compared to last year, based on data from analytics firm CoStar.
Many New York hotels are offering discounts, including the New York Hilton Midtown, the city’s largest hotel, which has slashed its tournament rates by half to $415 per night compared to the rates advertised in December.
In April, Hilton mentioned strong bookings, largely driven by interest in New York. The following month, Marriott noted, “there is still a lot left to book given that the exact matchups for the latter half of the competition have not yet been decided.”
Hilton declined to comment, and Marriott did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
“Some fans are opting to skip the World Cup entirely,” said Andy Milne, an England superfan and author of the book That World Cup Guy. “Friends of mine are heading to Ibiza to watch every match on TV for a much lower price, while others are going to Vegas. It’ll still cost money, but significantly less than tickets, travel, hotels, and transportation to the stadiums.”
Fans, particularly those with disposable income, are waiting to see the matchups solidify or their teams advance before committing to travel, according to luxury sports travel company Roadtrips.
High Ticket Costs, Visas Deter Visitors
Fans from over half of the qualified nations require visas to enter the United States, adding costs and uncertainty for travelers already cautious of stricter border enforcement. During the Trump Administration, a Somali referee was denied entry due to alleged connections to “suspected members of terror organizations.”
FIFA’s ticketing practices have also left some fans displeased. Organizers have introduced record-high base prices and dynamic pricing for the first time, which increased costs as the tournament approached. The decision to allow uncapped resale pricing has further inflated costs and drawn regulatory scrutiny.
The least expensive tickets in host cities like New York and Miami are now nearing $1,000, as per TicketData.
Even if ticket prices decrease closer to important matches, last-minute demand may still be low, as international fans face the challenges of booking travel and obtaining visas on short notice, said Dana Lattouf, CEO of Tickitto, a UK ticket distributor.
Vacation rentals, which allow groups to share expenses, represent a rare positive aspect. Airbnb informed investors in May that the World Cup was set to be its largest event ever, while data from short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA shows booking rates are higher in cities like Boston and Los Angeles, with hosts increasing prices to capture last-minute interest.
The average daily rates for rentals across host cities were approximately $218, while travelers looking now would pay around $335 as of June 8, AirDNA reported.
“There is a significant increase in leisure demand in all these cities due to the World Cup. That is clear,” stated Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA.
