For years, the tournament was projected to provide a financial boon for America’s travel sector, which is currently facing a decline in international visitors amid what human rights organizations describe as a climate of apprehension.
The influx of fans that hotels had anticipated has not materialized, leading many to lower their prices. Flight bookings have dropped significantly as ticket prices have surged. The high cost of match tickets has further dampened demand, and industry analysts note that enthusiasm is lacking compared to previous World Cups.
The slow start implies that the typical World Cup travel strategy – heavily reliant on international fans willing to travel considerable distances and spend money to support their teams – is faltering. Various costs, visa challenges, and the logistics of attending matches across 16 host cities in three nations have discouraged participation.
American travelers, in a country where soccer is less popular than in Europe, are not filling the void.
It is “overall a disappointment. There’s no other way to say it,” commented Vijay Dandapani, CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City. The association has revised its forecast for hotel room revenue associated with the World Cup by 60% to approximately $60 million, he stated.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has not provided any feedback following a request for comment.
Last-Minute Demand Yet to Appear
According to Cirium, flight bookings from Europe into most host cities for June and July are down an average of 3.8% year-over-year, even after Europeans had already reduced their travel to the US last year. Bookings from Europe to 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 the New York Hotel Association is only expecting around half a million.
Dandapani has noticed a slight increase in bookings from fans in the UK and Norway recently, describing this as a “positive sign.”
Hotels are hopeful for a late surge following the group stage, although early indicators have been discouraging. Average bookings across host cities have risen by only 0.5% compared to the previous year, according to analytics firm CoStar.
Several hotels in New York are offering discounted rates, Dandapani noted, including the New York Hilton Midtown, which has halved its rates for the tournament to $415 per night compared to advertised prices in December.
In April, Hilton reported strong bookings driven by New York, while the following month, Marriott stated, “there’s still a lot left to book given that the exact matchups for the latter half of the competition haven’t been determined yet.”
Hilton declined to comment while Marriott did not respond immediately to a request for feedback.
“Some fans are opting out of the World Cup entirely,” said Andy Milne, an England superfan and author of That World Cup Guy. “Friends of mine are heading to Ibiza to watch every match on TV for a fraction of the price. Others are going to Vegas. It’ll still cost money, but far less than the expenses for tickets, travel, hotels, and transport to the stadiums.”
Fans, particularly those with significant means, are holding off on travel commitments until matchups become clearer or their teams progress, according to luxury sports travel company Roadtrips.
High Ticket Prices and Visa Challenges Deter Visitors
Travelers from over half of the qualified nations need visas to enter the United States, adding extra costs and uncertainties for visitors already concerned about stricter border policies. The Trump Administration had blocked a Somali referee’s entry based on alleged links to “suspected members of terror organizations.”
FIFA’s ticketing approach has also alienated some fans. Organizers have introduced historically high base prices along with dynamic pricing that increases costs as the tournament approaches. FIFA’s decision to allow unlimited resale pricing has further inflated costs, attracting regulatory scrutiny.
The least expensive tickets in host cities like New York and Miami are now nearing $1,000, as reported by TicketData.
Even if ticket prices were to drop significantly as key matches approach, last-minute demand might remain limited, as overseas fans still confront the financial and logistical challenges of securing travel and visas on short notice, stated Dana Lattouf, CEO of Tickitto, a UK ticket distributor.
Vacation rentals, which allow groups to share expenses, represent a rare bright spot. Airbnb informed investors in May that the World Cup is set to be its largest event ever, while data from short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA indicates that bookings are rising in cities like Boston and Los Angeles, with hosts increasing prices to capture last-minute interest.
Booked average daily rates for rentals in host cities were $218, while travelers looking now would face rates of about $335 as of June 8, according to AirDNA.
“There is markedly increased leisure demand in all these cities due to the World Cup. That is undeniable,” said Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA.
