Hotel occupancy rates in key 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities remain low just weeks before the tournament’s historic start, signaling subdued demand from international soccer fans. Early booking data from property analytics firm CoStar reveals significant shortfalls compared to the same period last year across North America.
Occupancy Lags in Major Hubs
Vancouver reports match-date occupancy at only 39 percent, down from 53 percent in 2025. Boston faces similar challenges ahead of the Norway versus Iraq match on June 16, with bookings at a mere 32 percent. The expanded 48-team format, featuring 104 matches across 16 cities, appears to dilute fan travel as supporters track teams between venues.
Surveys indicate 80 percent of hoteliers in 11 major host markets, including New York and Miami, experience bookings below initial projections. In New York City, two-thirds of operators note softer demand. Seattle and Philadelphia see 80 percent of hotels trailing typical summer levels. For the Brazil versus Morocco clash on June 13, occupancy stands at 31 percent, compared to 43 percent last year.
Challenges Impacting Demand
Industry experts point to visa processing delays and geopolitical tensions as primary factors suppressing international arrivals, leaving thousands of rooms vacant. Approximately half of surveyed hotels report FIFA cancellations of substantial room blocks. Stronger performance occurs mainly in markets designated as official team base camps.
Ticket Prices Spark Backlash
Former President Donald Trump expressed reluctance to pay premium prices for World Cup tickets. When informed of the $1,000 entry cost for the USMNT’s opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, Trump stated, “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.” He added, “If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it’s an amazing success. I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, claiming college games cost at least $300 and professional sports exceed that threshold. However, tickets for the New York Yankees versus Texas Rangers on May 7 sold for $8, while a Knicks playoff ticket in Philadelphia listed at $192 on SeatGeek. Responding to a $2 million resale price for the final at MetLife Stadium, Infantino joked he would “personally bring a hot dog and a Coke” to ensure a great experience.
FIFA reports 500 million ticket requests, yet resale prices decline as organizers release additional last-minute inventory.
