FIFA World Cup 2026 Triggers Major Booking Surges in Select Host Cities

Interest in travel to FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities has surged following the release of the official match schedule on December 5. The announcement immediately drove a spike in bookings across multiple accommodation and transportation sectors, with some cities seeing dramatic increases in demand.

Data from short-term rental analytics firm Key Data shows that during the week of December 1–7, host cities recorded an average 29 percent year-over-year increase in net reservations per rental property compared with the same period in 2024. At the same time, average daily rental rates rose 25 percent overall, with most host markets commanding higher prices.

Several cities are emerging as clear frontrunners in booking activity. Kansas City is seeing the strongest growth, with reservations per property up more than 80 percent. Greater Philadelphia and Greater Boston are close behind, both posting increases of roughly 80 percent. Boston is also experiencing a sharp jump in prices, with nightly rates more than doubling. Guadalajara is another standout market, showing strong gains in reservation volume.

Not every host city is seeing the same level of enthusiasm. Some locations recorded weaker responses immediately after the schedule release. The San Francisco Bay Area, for example, saw a notable decline in reservations despite higher nightly rates, while Monterrey experienced flat booking volume alongside a steep drop in pricing.

Beyond short-term rentals, alternative accommodations are also benefiting. Home exchange activity has increased substantially in several host markets, particularly Atlanta, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and the Boston area. This reflects growing interest in more affordable lodging options tied to major sporting events.

Private aviation is another area experiencing early momentum. Charter companies report a rise in requests shortly after team locations were announced, especially for cross-country U.S. flights and international routes into North American host cities. Unlike typical private charter behavior, where trips are booked close to departure, many travelers are now reserving aircraft months in advance due to anticipated demand.

Looking ahead to the actual tournament dates, booking activity is accelerating even more. Short-term rental stays scheduled between June 11 and July 19, 2026, have increased nearly 300 percent year-over-year in nights sold, with revenue per property up more than 500 percent. Occupancy levels are also significantly higher.

Some markets are seeing especially intense demand during the event window. Guadalajara leads by a wide margin, followed by Greater Boston, Kansas City, Greater Philadelphia, and Greater Atlanta. These increases far exceed typical travel patterns, even for large global events.

The scale of demand reflects both the size of the 2026 tournament—featuring 48 national teams—and its accessibility across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the World Cup returning to the U.S. for the first time in more than 30 years, travelers are booking earlier and spending more to secure accommodations.

The tournament will run for five weeks, opening on June 11, 2026, and concluding with the final near New York City on July 19, 2026.