Monterrey Hotels Thrive During World Cup; Mexico City, Guadalajara Lag
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Hotel occupancy rates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup varied across Mexican host cities.
- Monterrey saw a 4% increase in general occupancy and higher rates during match days, exceeding expectations.
- Mexico City and Guadalajara experienced lower-than-expected hotel occupancy, despite increased revenue from higher average rates.
Hotel occupancy rates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup presented a mixed picture across Mexico's host cities, with Monterrey emerging as a notable success story. According to the National Association of Hotel Chains (ANCH) and the Mexican Association of Hotels and Motels (AMHM), only Monterrey reported an increase in hotel occupancy during June, the period when the tournament was held in Mexico. Jesรบs Nader, president of the Mexican Association of Hotels of Nuevo Leรณn, stated that Monterrey achieved an overall occupancy rate of 64% in June, a 4% rise from the previous year. During match days in Monterrey, occupancy climbed to an average of 72%, with peaks reaching 80% in affiliated hotels. The direct economic impact in the sector during this period reached 867 million pesos. In contrast, Mexico City, which hosted five matches, saw its tourist activity concentrated in central and southern areas, but experienced a slight 2% decrease in hotel occupancy, falling from 58.5% last year to 56.5% in June. Miguel รngel Fong, president of the AMHM for Mexico City, noted that while overall occupancy dipped, rates increased on certain days. Guadalajara also reported a positive balance with a 56% increase in hotel revenue, largely due to higher average rates compensating for a decrease in occupancy levels. However, the final result in Guadalajara was 54% below the sector's projected expectations. Jorge Paoli Dรญaz, president of the ANCH, acknowledged that while occupancy figures in some cities fell short of expectations, the tournament's legacy extends beyond short-term numbers, showcasing Mexico's capability to host global events and presenting an opportunity to attract future tourism.
In June we reached an overall occupancy rate of 64%, an increase of 4% compared to last year. On match days in Monterrey, the average occupancy rose to 72%, registering peaks of up to 80% in our associated hotels.
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.