US hotels fear World Cup revenue shortfalls after FIFA cancellations of large room blocks, with the industry warning that fewer overseas fans could undercut expected job and spending gains ahead of the tournament’s 11 June opening.
The problem doesn’t look dramatic from the street. It looks quiet—rooms that were reserved, then pulled back, and now sit empty while fans are still working out whether they can afford the trip.
Just over three weeks before the opening game on 11 June. the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) says hotels across several US host cities have been forced to absorb cancellations tied to FIFA’s room-block planning. Hotels had been preparing for an influx of international travellers—people who. the AHLA says. tend to book longer stays and spend more.
A study commissioned by FIFA last year predicted that in the US the World Cup could create 185. 000 jobs and add $17.2bn (£12.7bn) in gross domestic product. The AHLA says those forecasts were shaped by FIFA’s large-scale bookings in all cities. which it says “shaped revenue forecasts. staffing plans and preparations”.
But the AHLA claims the booking approach made demand look stronger than it would actually be. It says the policy “manufactured artificial demand” and masked the fact that tourist flow is going to be lower than predicted.
The association points to cancellations of reserved rooms in Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Seattle, saying up to 70% of rooms reserved by FIFA have been cancelled.
FIFA rejects that account. In a statement. FIFA says it followed agreements made with hotel chains. with a spokesperson saying: “All room releases were conducted in line with contractually agreed timelines with hotel partners – a standard practice for an event of this scale. In many cases, room releases were made ahead of established deadlines to further accommodate requests from hotels.”.
FIFA adds that, throughout the planning process, its accommodations team maintained “consistent discussions with hotel stakeholders”, including room block adjustments, agreeing to rates, confirming room types and regular reporting through townhall sessions and ongoing communication.
For hotels, the timing has been another pressure point. Prices spiked after the draw was made—once fans knew which cities their teams would be in—and then fell. The AHLA says there has been a gradual fall since then. reportedly by a further 20% in recent weeks. while the opening match is now close enough that hesitation may translate directly into missed bookings.
Even if the travel plans arrive later, the price sticker shock is hard to ignore. In cities like Boston, hotel prices are still more than $300 (£224) a night, and many fans are trying to keep costs down.
Chris Hancock. an England fan who has been to four World Cups. described a more budget-conscious plan for his group of five. He told BBC Sport that they are travelling on an accommodation budget of $75 (£56) per person per night. hiring a car in each city and booking a mix of hotels and Airbnb accommodation between 45 minutes to an hour away.
“We always tend to stay out of town a little bit and cut the cost that way, so we’re not in the middle of Dallas, Boston or New York,” Hancock said.
“If you’re out of the city centres where everything’s happening, you can get some cheaper deals.”
“We’re working within that budget. And at the minute we should be well under that.”
The AHLA says it is not convinced the downturn will hold. It told BBC Sport it expects occupancy to strengthen in June and July. The association said: “We know that many fans are still waiting on tickets and schedules to become clearer before finalising plans.”
“We believe bookings will pick up in the weeks ahead. Hotels are ready to welcome guests and ensure that they have the best possible experience.”
Airbnb, meanwhile, said the World Cup is on course to be the “biggest hosting event in Airbnb’s history”, overtaking the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
This is where the competing versions of the same tournament collide: FIFA’s insistence that cancellations followed contract timelines. and the hotel industry’s belief that those room releases—and the way room-block demand was presented—have left some host cities with fewer paying guests than expected.
With the World Cup games now approaching. hotels may end up leaning on demand that arrives last—particularly during the knockout rounds. when fans have to book at short notice. Even then. the AHLA’s warning is already being tested: the World Cup may not bring the scale of revenue predicted in advance.
2026 World Cup FIFA US hotels AHLA room cancellations Boston Dallas Los Angeles Philadelphia Seattle England fans Airbnb occupancy