With six weeks until the World Cup, hotels in most U.S. host cities report room reservations far below earlier projections. A survey released Monday by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) found bookings trailing initial forecasts, and in some markets — notably Kansas City — occupancy is even lower than a typical June or July.
The AHLA survey, conducted last month and based on responses from 205 hotel operators and owners with properties across multiple World Cup markets, points to fewer international travelers and large cancellations by FIFA as reasons many rooms remain unsold. The association noted that, despite more than 5 million tickets sold for matches, that interest has not yet translated into strong hotel demand.
Industry expectations for a robust summer in 2026 were high. The tournament will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with 11 U.S. cities staging games, and the United States will be observing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — factors that were expected to draw extra visitors. AHLA emphasized the particular value of overseas guests, who generally stay longer and spend more during their visits.
Still, the survey found nearly 80 percent of hotel bookings across host cities running below initial projections. In Kansas City, 85 to 90 percent of hotels reported bookings under expectations.
Organizers in Kansas City disputed the survey findings, telling The Athletic that embassy staff from countries such as the Netherlands are deploying additional personnel in anticipation of many visitors. KC26, the host committee, continues to project about 650,000 visitors over the course of the tournament, Visit KC and Kansas City Sports Commission CEO Kathy Nelson told KCUR. KC26 did not immediately respond to an NPR request for comment.
There were some bright spots in the AHLA data. About half of respondents in Atlanta reported bookings at or ahead of projections, and roughly 55 percent of Miami respondents said bookings were stronger than expected.
The AHLA highlighted several factors discouraging international travel, including perceptions of tighter U.S. immigration policies, lengthy visa wait times, higher visa fees, and uncertainty around entry processing. The association also cited a strong U.S. dollar and concerns about airport screening as contributors to the sense that traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup may be more complicated and costly.
FIFA has stressed strong global interest in the tournament, calling demand unprecedented and saying it expects attendance records to be broken. A White House spokesman told NPR that officials view the tournament as a major global event and that the administration is focused on delivering a safe, secure and memorable experience for fans and visitors.