80% of Boston hotels report slower bookings for World Cup amid high ticket prices

[riversedge]

Source: msn.com


Story by Eleanor Tolbert • 1h •


Despite promises that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would bring increased tourism to 11 cities across the U.S., some aren’t seeing the numbers they expected.

The start of the international soccer tournament is exactly one week away, and it’s had its fair share of controversy surrounding ticket pricing. When tickets first went on sale in September, fans were expected to pay exorbitant prices to secure their spot at one of the 104 matches.


Now, as time until the opening ceremony dwindles, tickets are still available across several platforms. And hotels in the host cities aren’t seeing the traffic they were promised.


Hotels report reservation shortfalls

One of those cities is Boston, which is hosting seven matches between June 13 and July 9. CBS News reports 80% of hotels say their bookings are falling short of seasonal averages.


International travelers aren't showing up

Not only that, but international travel hasn’t shown up in the way FIFA thought. FIFA told host cities that the tournament would have a projected economic impact of $30.5 billion, Fortune reported. The organization also anticipated there would be a 50/50 international-domestic split in attendees.....................

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Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/fifa_world_cup/80-of-boston-hotels-report-slower-bookings-for-world-cup-amid-high-ticket-prices/ar-AA250dgx?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=c0f6b0c671764645fbffa1d0102638fc&ei=14&cvpid=69e0336b8482434bc3dea50df81ee088

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More than 4 million fewer Canadians visited the U.S. — a 21% drop from 20 million in 2024, while tourism from Venezuela and Denmark were among the most significant declines with 21% and 24% respectively

www.msn.com/en-us/sports...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2026-06-06T23:43:21.868Z

[Dave Bowman]

1. We all know who we have to thank:

🖕

[ret5hd]

2. "...amid high ticket prices."

yeah, high prices. that’s it, not telling/demonstrating to the world that they aren’t safe here.

[maxsolomon]

12. The prices are far beyond where they've ever been before.

The majority of tickets went right into the hand of re-sellers.

Final game tickets in NJ are >30K each. Just to get in the stadium in Seattle is over $700/seat now. The face value of tickets my co-workers got in the lottery was >$400 for a Group Stage match.

Add to that the difficulty of acquiring a Visa to the US under MFer.

But the vast majority of foreign visitors would be 'safe' here. Canadians are boycotting the US because of President Dotard Sociopath, they're not afraid.

[dave99]

3. Why would _anyone_ come to the US with shitstain's ICE working ?

and shitstain alive ?

[Justice matters.]

10. And have their phones searched by the felon's thugs...

No. Thank you. We'll watch the games for free on the Internet instead.

(I don't watch soccer: Too boring for me. Nothing against players.)

[FakeNoose]

4. Well of course they aren't coming here ... they'd be crazy to come here

... even if they could afford the ridiculous cost. Most of them can't afford it, and neither can most Americans. These ticket prices are ridiculous.

When Chump was elected, FIFA should have moved the entire thing to Canada, or else cancelled the playoffs altogether. They didn't do the sensible thing, and now they're sorry. I really hope FIFA people get fired over this.

[BigmanPigman]

5. Same goes for Philly.......

"Overview of the Philadelphia SituationLagging Bookings: According to data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association...

Nearly 80% of hotels in U.S. host cities report bookings below expectations. In Philadelphia, roughly 75% of hoteliers report occupancy paces running behind typical seasonal demand.

FIFA Cancellations: FIFA block-booked massive inventories early on, artificially inflating expected demand. They have since dropped 2,000 of their reserved hotel rooms in Philadelphia to right-size their operational blocks.

Matches: Philadelphia will host six matches at the renamed Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), five group stage matches and a Round of 16 knockout match on July 4, 2026.

Tickets start from around $262.The Political and Economic FactorsVisa and Entry Concerns: Unpredictable entry processes, potential border scrutiny of international visitors' social media, and strict policies are leading to a drop in international travel demand.

The "Trump Factor": Geopolitical anxieties are playing a notable role in dampening enthusiasm. For example, some dedicated European "superfans" have openly cited Donald Trump's return to the presidency—and the associated hostile perception toward allies and strict immigration/entry policies—as their reason for skipping the tournament entirely.

Taxes and Pricing: High ticket prices combined with a proposed 2% hike in the city's hotel tax (pushed by Mayor Cherelle Parker to address shelter beds) and steep inflation mean fewer international tourists are making the trip.

For an analysis of how US World Cup ticket prices, hotel rates, and the political climate are impacting the tourism market:11mThis Hotel Across From A FIFA Stadium Had ZERO Bookings And The Owner....

[Aussie105]

6. Tsk Tsk!

The promised flood of tourist gold isn't eventuating?

Heavens!

What could the problem possibly be?

Some Deep Thinkers need to ponder this situation!

[AZ8theist]

7. EVERYTHING THAT ASSHOLE TOUCHES DIES...

Now add the World Cup to his list of "accomplishments"....

[travelingthrulife]

8. Welp. Blame it on his pal Trump.

[JustKay]

9. Go ahead, keep telling yourself it's the "high prices,"...

but Trump has flooded the streets with ICE agents who shoot people in the face and (at best) has made this country a laughing stock. Hell, nobody wants to be here!

[City Lights]

11. Just "high ticket prices," eh?

Nothing else could be affecting the slow bookings?

Think hard, MSN. See if you can come up with another reason.

[GiqueCee]

13. I'd be curious to know...

... the range of those ticket prices. Tickets for musical performances are obscene. Sixty years ago I could afford tickets for a show by the biggest band on the planet, the Beatles, of course. But I also saw Led Zeppelin, the Stones, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, and dozens of other great bands. In the summer of '67, the city of Boston had concerts on the Common FOR FREE! They performed right across Boylston street from where I worked, and, weather permitting, I'd eat my lunch while listening to some the best yet-to-be-famous bands of the 20th century. That would be impossible now. Tickets for a good seat at a Stones concert now is around $600. Google says that's the starting price for a nose-bleed seat to a Taylor Swift show. Good seats are $2,000-$5,000. No wonder she's a billionaire. I don't begrudge her a penny; she is reportedly exceptionally generous to those who make her shows possible , and even to admirers, but corporatists like Ticketmaster and other such corporate exploiters have ruined it for everybody.