US World Cup Host City Hotels See Lower Bookings Than Last Year

Walking the streets of Kansas City, Houston, Miami and New York, residents see clear signs of the World Cup. Billboards line the roads, bars display signs and stores sell tournament merchandise.

Hotel operators checking their systems find far less excitement. The industry group says most hotels in host cities have bookings lower than at this time last year. Those who spoke to the BBC described the demand as underwhelming.

"We were sold this expectation the World Cup would be a big phenomenon, people have been talking about it for years," said Deidre Mathis, owner of the Wanderstay Boutique Hotel in Houston, Texas. "So when we looked at our calendar and saw in February, March and April that we still weren't sold out [for the tournament] - and it is not just us in Houston, but it's all over - we were left sitting here just very confused."

The Wanderstay sits a mile from the Houston fan zone and a short drive from the stadium for the city's matches. It stands at 45% capacity for the tournament period, Mathis said, down from 70% at this time last year.

Mathis pointed to the political climate in US President Donald Trump's second term, including immigration raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents across cities. She also cited the rising cost of living after the US-Israel war in Iran and the high price of World Cup tickets.

Trump, a supporter of the tournament and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said he "wouldn't pay it either" when asked about the costs. Tickets for the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium reached $32,970 officially, with resale listings over $2 million.

"So I think it's a bunch of things, all combined into one," Mathis said. "But it is just so unfortunate, and I am hoping that in the next four weeks, things can be turned around."

She called on FIFA to cut ticket prices and urged the US government to speed up visa applications for fans.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents tens of thousands of properties from chains to independent bed-and-breakfasts, found eight in 10 host-city hotels with lower-than-expected demand. Many in its survey called the tournament a "non-event," and most reported bookings below a typical summer.

AHLA President and Chief Executive Rosanna Maietta told the BBC the war in Iran played a role. She added that some fans might wait for their team's match locations before booking.

Airbnb called the World Cup its biggest hosting event ever.

Hamish Husband of the Association of Tartan Army Clubs plans to spend up to £10,000 traveling to follow Scotland. He and his brother booked hotels for the tournament, with costs tied to Scotland's run.

He criticized FIFA's "outrageous ticket pricing." "There is no fairness in football anymore, but $1,000 for Scotland v Haiti tickets - that is scandalous," he said. Husband noted Mexicans on average salaries could not afford tickets and praised Canada's resale price controls.

The Tartan Army, Scotland's traveling fans, won fans at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany with singing and dancing from Munich to Cologne to Stuttgart.

Stephen Jenkins, manager of the Fontaine Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, said bookings match last year. "We are not seeing the pick-up we had anticipated," he told the BBC.

Jenkins prepared for a boom from the local tournament but saw less so far. Bookings rose slightly after the fixture schedule came out, and he expects more as matches near. He called the fan festival a potential boost.

The Fontaine plans a "Culinary Cup" with country-themed meals for Kansas City games. With Argentina playing there next month, Jenkins said Lionel Messi lacks the draw of Taylor Swift's 2023 Eras tour, which sold out citywide despite the tour's longer schedule.

Manuel Deisen, general manager of InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, said inquiries and bookings track below typical periods.

A FIFA spokesman rejected overpricing claims, noting some tickets sold for $60 and higher prices aimed to curb resale profiteering.

The White House formed a World Cup task force for smooth operations. It waived the $15,000 visa deposit for fans from 50 countries who show valid match tickets.