As millions of fans prepare to travel across the United States for this summer's FIFA World Cup matches, hotels and short-term rentals are rapidly filling up in host cities from New York to Los Angeles.
The expanded 2026 tournament will feature a record number of 48 teams and see the competition being hosted across three countries for the first time, with games scheduled to take place in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
In the U.S., businesses are bracing for a major tourism surge, but rising accommodation costs, labor shortages and limited availability are also putting increased pressure on local housing and hospitality markets.
Industry analysts say many fans are planning extended trips, following matches across several host cities throughout the tournament.
"There's a number of different kinds of bookings. There's a big Airbnb crowd, a lot of people are booking for a whole month. And then again, the hotels are booking up with different sections. I think people are moving from place to place," said Mike Irvine, sales associate of Compass Real Estate.
In Los Angeles, where the World Cup is also seen as a lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games, officials have been accelerating infrastructure upgrades, while hotels and hospitality businesses prepare for surging demand.
"Rents have come up and especially hotel prices, probably because there can be, often, dynamic pricing and they can change back and forth pretty quickly. But I think a lot of the set rentals in advance, say Airbnb for a month or so, have already been booked. So, I think they're probably quite difficult to get at this stage," said Irvine.
Behind the optimism, businesses in these cities are also confronting mounting challenges. Hotel operators have already been navigating labor tensions and fears of potential strikes ahead of the tournament.
Tourism officials say the World Cup is still expected to deliver a massive economic windfall across the United States.
Businesses ranging from restaurants to airlines and local retailers are preparing for billions of dollars in additional spending in the weeks ahead.
With demand continuing to surge and accommodation availability tightening across several host cities, travelers are being warned to secure bookings as early as possible before prices climb even further and options disappear.
Demand for accommodation rises in US cities ahead of FIFA World Cup matches
