Pricey football World Cup keeps fans away, hits US hotels, airlines

The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup is not generating the expected surge in tourism and travel for the United States, despite the tournament's kickoff. Hotels and airlines, which had anticipated a significant windfall, are instead experiencing a slump in bookings and activity.

Industry analysts point to several factors dampening enthusiasm and attendance. Skyrocketing ticket prices for matches, coupled with the complex logistics of traveling between 16 host cities spread across three countries, have proven to be major deterrents. This contrasts sharply with the traditional World Cup model, which relied on international fans willing to undertake long journeys and spend heavily.

Rights groups have also noted a climate of fear impacting international visitor numbers, further complicating the travel industry's recovery. The muted excitement and lower-than-expected fan turnout suggest a faltering traditional World Cup travel playbook. Many hotels have already been forced to cut rates in response to the dwindling number of expected visitors.