As North America prepares to host the first 48-team FIFA World Cup, new international travel analysis from OysterLink signals potential challenges ahead for U.S. hotels.
Despite record-setting rates in major host cities, slowing inbound travel, elevated costs and recently enacted visa rules could limit the U.S. hospitality sector’s share of the tournament’s economic lift, according to the analysis. While the U.S. will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches across 11 cities, the U.S. Travel Association projects overseas arrivals to fall from 72.4 million in 2024 to 67.9 million in 2025—a 6.3 percent decline.
International visitor spending is also expected to soften, dipping to roughly $173 billion, according to OysterLink. The downturn comes as a new $250 “visa integrity fee” took effect on Oct. 1 for travelers from non–Visa Waiver countries. In addition, extended visa wait times in vital feeder markets such as Brazil, India and China continue to impact demand.
Hotels in U.S. host cities are already posting sizeable rate increases, with average daily rates up 55 percent year over year. New York City leads pricing at $583 per night, followed by Houston at $146. Despite the elevated rates, hotels report single-digit occupancy for most World Cup dates as travelers await ticket and match-schedule confirmation before committing to stays. By comparison, host cities in Canada and Mexico are seeing much stronger early momentum, with ADR growth of 92 percent and 114 percent, respectively.
According to OysterLink, operators need to adjust quickly as booking momentum builds, focusing on dynamic pricing, more flexible stay policies and targeted outreach to travelers from Canada, Mexico and the U.K.—markets that continue to show the strongest intent to visit the U.S.
“The World Cup will create enormous opportunity, but only for markets that stay flexible,” Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink, said in a statement. “Rates are already high, but fans might be holding off until travel becomes easier and match details are final.”
With more than 6 million of the tournament’s 7.1 million tickets still unsold, the coming months will determine how much of the World Cup’s economic potential flows to the U.S., according to the OysterLink. The data further suggests that higher travel costs, complex entry requirements and a strong U.S. dollar could push international fans toward more accessible Canadian or Mexican host cities.