Hotel Room Rates Drop in Some World Cup Host Cities as Event Approaches

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, hotel room rates in several U.S. and Canadian host cities are decreasing, offering potential savings for fans who have not yet booked accommodations. According to Ashley Gutermuth of FCM Consulting, initial aggressive pricing by hotels has corrected downward in about half of the host cities because demand has not met early forecasts. While the average hotel price across host cities is $499, representing a 13.93% increase from before the schedule announcement, significant variations exist. For instance, Vancouver saw a 290% price surge, while Dallas increased by 167%. However, markets like New York, Boston, and San Francisco are seeing rate drops as they lag in bookings. Experts suggest that the steepest discounts may occur in the final two to three weeks before the June 11 kickoff. The situation contrasts with previous tournaments due to the event's larger scale and complexity, leading to a 'non-event' booking status so far in many U.S. locations, prompting hotels to adjust rates to fill rooms.