Football fans dreaming of attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America are being urged to finalise their travel plans without delay, as unprecedented demand collides with soaring prices and new visa complications.
Record Demand and Ticket Rush
The tournament, which will electrify 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026, has already sparked a frenzy. FIFA confirmed it has received a staggering over 500 million ticket requests. The final application window closed recently, but a last-minute batch will be released on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the event.
Fans who applied in the latest sales phase will discover their fate from 5 February, with allocations for oversubscribed matches decided randomly. Notably, the most sought-after fixture in the recent phase was Colombia versus Portugal in Miami Gardens on 27 June. While FIFA has promised affordable $60 tickets for each match to national federations, securing a spot in the stadium is just the first hurdle.
The Accommodation Crunch and Soaring Costs
Finding a place to stay is becoming a critical challenge. Travel experts warn that hotel availability in host cities is rapidly diminishing, with prices skyrocketing due to demand. FIFA secured thousands of rooms years ago for teams and officials, removing a significant chunk of inventory from the public market.
Data from KAYAK reveals alarming price surges: rates in Philadelphia have jumped 154% compared to last year, while San Francisco has seen a 29% increase. An analysis by The Athletic found that average hotel rates around the opening match have soared to $1,013 per night, a 328% increase from three weeks prior. Similar spikes are reported in Kansas City and Miami, where typical rates have tripled.
"Booking last-minute for the World Cup is high risk, high reward," advised Sarah Kennedy, a travel trends expert at KAYAK. "With hotel interest already spiking around match dates, booking early with flexible cancellation offers both peace of mind and prime protection."
Navigating Flights and New Visa Barriers
Airfare presents a mixed picture. While some US domestic routes to cities like Newark are seeing lower fares, international flights to destinations like New York and Miami are climbing. For UK travellers, flying to Atlanta or Los Angeles may be cheaper than to Boston or Philadelphia.
Airlines and rail networks are ramping up capacity. American Airlines is adding 27,000 extra seats on 12 routes between host cities. Meanwhile, eight new Amtrak trains will debut to connect Seattle and Vancouver, and Acela services will link Northeast Corridor cities.
However, a significant new obstacle has emerged. The U.S. State Department announced it will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, including football powerhouses like Brazil and Nigeria. While players and officials are exempt, this policy could prevent countless supporters from entering the country, adding urgency to travel planning for those requiring visas.
The message from industry experts is unequivocal: with the tournament expected to generate $30.5 billion in economic activity and fan demand at an all-time high, procrastination is a luxury fans cannot afford. Securing flexible bookings now is the only sure strategy to guarantee a seat at the world's greatest sporting spectacle.
