FIFA travel demand remains uneven across host cities

Highlights

• Travel demand in North America remains uneven across host cities ahead of the FIFA World Cup
• Fans are prioritizing value and planning closer to match time
• Millions are set to travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer

With less than 30 days remaining until the FIFA World Cup 2026, travel interest is building unevenly across multiple host cities, according to Expedia’s Unpack ’26 Summer: The Trends in Travel report. This comes as fans finalize plans closer to match time and weigh value more carefully.

The tournament is set to draw millions of travellers to North America this summer, across multiple host cities in Canada, USA and Mexico between June 11 to July 19.

Monterrey and Mexico City witnessed the largest flight search increases among the host cities, up 60 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, as per data shared by Expedia.

Monterrey also topped the chart in terms of largest search increases for lodging with a 205 per cent year on year increase.

Fans excited at a soccer gameiStock

Kansas City remains the top trending host city in the US, with the biggest year-on-year increases for both flight and lodging searches, up 30 per cent and 205 per cent, respectively.

The most affordable host cities to fly to are Atlanta and Houston, with average ticket prices (ATP) under $450, while San Francisco and Vancouver are the most expensive with an ATP of $590 and $560, respectively.

The three Mexican host cities have seen the biggest increase in ATP, with each city witnessing a rise of over 25%. For the US, Los Angeles and Miami saw the biggest increase in ATP.

The report also highlighted that while fans are set to travel to North America to witness the action on field, some Americans are choosing this time to explore quieter and less expensive destinations in Europe and Asia.

“This summer, we’re seeing a clear split in traveller behaviour: soccer fans are heading straight into the action, while others are using the moment to travel somewhere quieter and more affordable,” said Melanie Fish, vice president, global public relations, Expedia Group. “What’s driving both decisions is purpose: travellers are being more intentional about how and where they want to spend their summer.”