High World Cup Costs in the US

Resale prices for the final have surpassed $50,000. Salem indicates that many fans decide not to attend due to the high costs. “Worldwide, people complain about prices, and we have lost many followers; many fans don't come because of the prices,” he stated. Some fans opt to stay outside major cities. He plans to rent his house in Foxborough for over $2,000 per night. “I would be very disappointed if the entire period from mid-June to July is not fully booked,” he said. He also books hotels more than a year in advance and looks for options in peripheral areas like the Bronx, Queens, or New Jersey. “Some prices are totally ridiculous,” said Salem. Montclair, New Jersey, has seen a 169% increase in rental occupancy during the group stage, according to AirDNA. For travelers, the total cost increases due to higher ticket, accommodation, and flight prices. Hotel rates are expected to rise by an average of up to 300% around the opening matches, according to The New York Times reports. These costs force fans like Mehdi Salem, founder of the French association Les Baroudeurs du Sport, to seek alternatives. In contrast, prices in Mexico and Canada remain more affordable. “If we look at smaller cities, we can find more affordable places,” said Michael Seiler, a professor of real estate and finance at the College of William & Mary. In Houston, hotel reservations for June and July have doubled compared to last year. “Other accommodations with more reasonable prices are being booked, and then we see the difference between available rates and booked rates start to narrow”. Cost to 'experience' the World Cup in the US will be high. Attending the World Cup will be costly for fans, especially for those traveling from abroad. In Dallas, accommodation searches have increased by 230%, according to Expedia data. “Dallas is no stranger to major sporting events, but this is not just another big event,” said Zane Harrington, a tourism spokesperson. “The FIFA World Cup is different from anything we have experienced before”. Michael De Micco, who obtained tickets for a match at Gillette Stadium, rules out staying in hotels due to their high cost. A six-bedroom property in Princeton, New Jersey, is being offered for around $6,000 per night during the World Cup, a 140% increase from last year, despite being over an hour's drive from MetLife Stadium. The enthusiasm is also transforming the hotel market in US host cities, which are expecting millions of visitors. “I’m going to stay with my family for a month or a few weeks to take advantage of these earnings,” commented Roufaeal, founder of Settled In Property Management. Ads already reflect a significant price increase. The main beneficiaries of the 2026 World Cup will be those who can rent out their properties, especially in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut metropolitan area. Bobby Roufaeal, who manages over a dozen short-term rentals in New Jersey, claims a luxury property could generate up to $240,000 between June 11 and July 19, the tournament period. Tickets range from $60 to over $6,700, according to FIFA's dynamic pricing scheme. He considers renting on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo in nearby cities. “I am not going to spend a thousand dollars a night, no way,” he stated. In contrast, investors like Geoff Colleran are expecting record earnings. He notes that he triples his rates due to high demand and receives calls from owners interested in capitalizing on the opportunity. “They say, ‘Look, I’ll figure it out.’ He is organizing accommodation for 80 people with the goal of seeing France play at MetLife Stadium. Salem cuts costs by having eight people stay in rooms designed for four. Expedia data shows an increase in searches in secondary markets like Kansas City, Dallas, and Houston. Other nearby cities like Clifton, Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City also show significant increases. Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, anticipates an even greater increase in rates as the tournament approaches. “When bookings start, people usually don't book the very high-priced accommodations,” he explained. “So I expect a six-figure income summer.” “In a normal summer, we bill between $50,000 and $60,000.” The tournament will also include matches in Mexico and Canada. Airbnb offers incentives to list rentals. For those renting out their homes, the opportunity is attractive. Airbnb offers up to $750 in cash to new hosts to encourage listings.