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US hotel owners expected World Cup boom — so far it hasn't happened
Hotels in US host cities report weaker-than-expected demand ahead of the World Cup, despite pervasive public hype. An AHLA survey describes the event as a non-event for many properties, while other players highlight ongoing travel interest and high ticket prices. The mix of expectations and realities is shaping how local hospitality businesses plan for the tournament.
Why It Matters
The World Cup is a major global event with potential economic impact on hospitality and local economies; early signs of weak bookings could influence business strategy and public policy during the event.
Timeline
10 Events
White House forms World Cup taskforce and visa-deposit exemption
May 15, 2026
The White House has established a World Cup taskforce to help ensure the tournament runs smoothly and exempted football fans from paying a 15,000-dollar visa deposit if they show valid match tickets.
Fontaine hosts Culinary Cup tied to World Cup matches
May 15, 2026
The Fontaine hotel is hosting a Culinary Cup that lets guests eat country-themed meals to match the teams playing in Kansas City during the tournament.
Argentina to play in Kansas City next month; Messi's pull compared to Swift
May 15, 2026
Argentina is scheduled to play in Kansas City next month; the article notes that Messi has not yet produced the star pull of Taylor Swift, whose Eras tour in 2023 led to city-wide sellouts, though the World Cup's compressed schedule makes the comparison imperfect.
Ticket pricing cited as main concern for supporters in Scotland
May 15, 2026
Husband noted that high ticket prices are a major concern for fans and praised Canada’s efforts to curb sky-high resale costs; he also contrasted with Mexico where locals earn too little to afford tickets.
Scottish fans to travel to the US for World Cup
May 15, 2026
Hamish Husband from the Association of Tartan Army Clubs plans to spend up to 10,000 pounds travelling to the US to follow Scotland's progress, staying in hotels throughout the tournament, with the final bill depending on how far Scotland go.
Airbnb calls World Cup the biggest hosting event in its history
May 15, 2026
Airbnb said the World Cup would be the biggest hosting event in its history.
Trump says he wouldn't pay for World Cup tickets
May 15, 2026
The article notes that even Donald Trump, a supporter of the World Cup, said he wouldn’t pay the ticket prices; final tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium were listed up to 32,970 dollars, with resale tickets reported at more than 2 million dollars.
Hotel owner Deidre Mathis cites climate, living costs and ticket prices
May 15, 2026
Hotel owner Deidre Mathis attributed the lack of a bookings surge to a combination of political climate during President Trump’s tenure, ICE immigration raids, rising living costs, and very expensive World Cup tickets; she urged FIFA to lower prices and expedite visa processing for fans.
AHLA finds hotel demand below expectations ahead of World Cup
May 15, 2026
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) survey found eight in 10 hotels in host cities reporting lower demand than expected, with many describing the tournament as a non-event and bookings tracking below typical summer levels.
Euro 2024 Tartan Army fans highlighted in Germany
June 2024
The Tartan Army, travelling Scottish fans, became one of the highlights of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, with locals appreciating their singing and dancing as they moved between cities such as Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart.