The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to open in the United States on June 11. However, according to a report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), hotel bookings in nearly all host cities are below expectations, with a large number of rooms still vacant. The industry is increasingly concerned that the overall economic benefits may fall short of initial projections.
The association noted a discrepancy between FIFA’s claim that over five million tickets have been sold and the actual lack of corresponding growth in international travel demand. The report also criticised FIFA for pre-blocking large numbers of hotel rooms across multiple cities, which it said may have “artificially created demand” and pushed up early pricing. However, the subsequent cancellation of many of these bookings has reportedly led to oversupply, disrupting hotel operators’ forecasting and staffing plans. In cities such as Boston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, up to 70% of FIFA-reserved rooms were reportedly cancelled.
In terms of economic expectations, FIFA had previously projected that the tournament would create around 185,000 jobs in the United States and generate US$17.2 billion in GDP growth. Yet with only weeks remaining before kickoff, the hotel sector fears that insufficient international attendance could weaken overall returns. Although hotel prices in some cities have recently fallen by around 20%, rates in places like Boston still exceed US$300 per night, placing a significant burden on ordinary fans.
Some experienced supporters say many travellers are still waiting for clearer match schedules and ticket allocations before confirming plans, meaning bookings may surge closer to the event. The industry is hoping for a short-term boost during the knockout stages. Overall, however, the economic impact of this World Cup may fall short of early optimistic forecasts.
Commentary:
Countries have long competed to host major international sporting events because they are seen as prime opportunities to stimulate the “event economy,” boosting tourism, hospitality, and retail consumption, while also showcasing national image and soft power.
However, in practice, these expectations are not guaranteed. Against a backdrop of fluctuating energy prices and rising oil costs, overall travel expenses have increased significantly, directly affecting international visitor demand. In addition, global political and economic uncertainty has made cross-border travel decisions more cautious. This reflects a broader reality: even globally prominent events like the World Cup can see their economic benefits overstated if costs are too high and demand expectations are poorly managed.