Airline and Hotel Bookings Surge as North America Prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026 :: Hospitality Trends

Data from Amadeus indicates a significant rise in airline and hotel bookings across North America ahead of this summer’s major international football tournament, with the UK leading international travel demand.

New data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence shows a significant increase in travel bookings to North America ahead of this summer’s major international football tournament. Total airline bookings to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for travel during the tournament period (June 5 to July 19) are up 15% compared to the same dates last year, including both domestic and international travel.

Following the release of the match schedule on December 6, 37% of tournament-period flight bookings were made in the month since the draw.

British travelers account for 18% of total international bookings into the US, Mexico, and Canada for the tournament. Bookings between Scotland and Boston made in December 2025 for travel during the tournament increased 162-fold compared to December 2024, as Scotland prepares to play Haiti at Gillette Stadium on June 13. Bookings by England fans to New York/New Jersey for the tournament period were three and a half times higher than the previous year, with England set to play Panama on June 27.

Host cities across North America are seeing increased demand. In Vancouver, average hotel occupancy for the summer is at 53%, up from 31% on comparable dates last year. Toronto’s occupancy for its five group matches has risen from 15% to 29%. In Mexico City, which will host the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, average hotel occupancy for the nights around group matches is 21%, up from 4% in the same period in 2025. Guadalajara and Monterrey have also seen occupancy rise from 3% last year to 24% and 37%, respectively, on the eve and day of group matches.

Across 16 venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, average hotel occupancy on the eve and day of group-stage matches has increased from 16% to 29% as of January 7.

Michael Yeomans, Head of Travel Intelligence at Amadeus, said, “With many of the qualifying nations confirmed and fixtures taking shape, football fans from around the world are putting plans in place to visit North America this summer. Excitement is spread across the three host nations, with Canada and Mexico making the most of the opportunities in the hospitality sector.”

The 2018 tournament in Russia attracted over 3 million fans. The expanded 48-team format and tri-nation hosting across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this year are expected to boost attendance, especially with increased regional travel across North America.

Amadeus’s analysis uses data from global distribution systems and hotel performance metrics to provide a forward-looking view of travel demand. Hotel occupancy rates and flight bookings are expected to continue rising as the tournament approaches.