Hotels Warn World Cup Bookings Are Coming In Light

Key Points

• Hotel bookings for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. and Mexico are falling short of early forecasts, despite robust ticket demand.
• Industry leaders cite visa delays, airport security issues, and a post-pandemic trend toward last-minute bookings as key factors.
• Hoteliers are adjusting strategies, focusing more on individual travelers, and remain cautiously optimistic about revenue growth closer to the event.

Summary

Hotel industry leaders report that bookings for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. and Mexico are currently lagging behind initial expectations, even as ticket demand remains high. Key challenges include visa processing delays, lengthy airport security lines, and a growing trend of travelers booking accommodations much closer to event dates. Hoteliers are adapting their strategies, shifting focus from group bookings to individual travelers, and are optimistic that many reservations will come in last minute, as seen in previous tournaments.