A global passion for soccer in motion will drive an increase in tourism revenue across 16 U.S. cities, which will welcome 1.24 million international visitors. This is the projected impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by Tourism Economics, a company under Oxford Economics.
This World Cup will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 78 matches will be played in the U.S. alone, with stadiums averaging nearly 70,000 in seating capacity. The U.S. match schedule begins on June 12 in Los Angeles, California, and concludes with the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Inbound Tourism Demand
The company projects that the United States will receive 1.24 million international visitors for the World Cup, of which 742,000 (60%) will be additional—trips that would not have occurred otherwise. After a challenging 2025 for international overnight travel to the U.S. (with a decline of 6.3%), inbound tourism is expected to rebound by 3.7% in 2026, with nearly one-third of this growth linked to the tournament.
The peak of arrivals is expected in June, when 57 of the 78 U.S. matches will take place, representing a 10% increase in international arrivals compared to the previous year. July will bring in an additional 200,000 visitors, accounting for a 3.2% increase.
The unique passion of the soccer fan base underpins this surge: international spectators are estimated to represent approximately 40% of stadium attendance, typically attending two matches each, with 15 companions per 100 ticketed attendees.
“Mega-events concentrate demand, and the global reach of the World Cup is unmatched,” said Aran Ryan, Director of Industry Studies at Tourism Economics. “We expect a strong increase in hotel occupancy across U.S. host markets, along with a broader tourism boost as fans visit multiple cities and extend their stays,” he added.
“Soccer fans plan to follow their teams for years and may even organize once-in-a-lifetime trips around the World Cup,” he added.
Peak Nights and Premium Rates
In North American host markets, additional hotel room revenue related to the World Cup is expected to rise between 7% and 25% in June 2026, according to Ryan, with the most pronounced increases occurring on match days.
“Factoring in July matches, some cities could see year-over-year growth in additional room revenue between 1% and 5%,” he noted.
Nationally, the event will add approximately 0.4% to total hotel room revenue for 2026—a seemingly modest figure, but substantial in absolute terms, considering host cities only account for about 16% of the U.S. hotel room supply and the increase is concentrated in June and July.
Match significance is key. History shows that final rounds significantly drive up rates. In Germany 2006, the average daily monthly rate increased by 7.6% for each match in June, 14.4% for each match in July, and soared by 46.9% for the final—a pattern that serves as the foundation for the 2026 projections.
Cities such as New York, Dallas, and Miami—hosts of final-round or high-profile matches—are expected to experience significant increases.
Team fan bases also play a role. Fan-favorite teams like England, Brazil, Argentina, and France have an above-average impact wherever they play, amplifying hotel demand. Even smaller nations can generate unexpected impacts when qualification becomes a national milestone, mobilizing passionate fans who travel in surprising numbers.
Seeding allocations are not yet finalized. The December 5 group draw and subsequent schedule will clarify which cities will host teams with the largest fan bases—and therefore the greatest potential.
Legacy and Opportunity for Destinations
The World Cup enhances the branding of host cities through global broadcasts, fan-generated content, and first-hand experiences that elevate each city’s profile and encourage repeat visits. Many fans combine multi-city itineraries, discovering new places they often return to later.
“Destinations have a unique opportunity to capitalize on an active, local audience and will play a key role in spreading demand across neighborhoods, leaving an indelible mark on visitors for decades to come,” added Ryan.
The research findings are based on two reports by Tourism Economics:
FIFA World Cup 26 Host Cities Prepared: Analysis of Expected Hotel Sector Trends in RevPAR, ADR, and Occupancy
FIFA World Cup 2026: Increase in International Visitors to the U.S.: Quantifying Tourist Volume, Spending Impact, and Incremental Travel Effects
The results incorporate match schedules, hotel market capacity, air travel forecasts, and historical mega-event data, as well as behavioral factors tied to global fan bases and diaspora-driven travel.
Tourism Economics, a firm within Oxford Economics, is a global leader in travel forecasting and economic impact analysis, helping destinations and hotel brands turn data into actionable insights.
