Mexico’s hotel industry is lowering its expectations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with accommodation providers in host cities reporting slower-than-anticipated booking trends despite the global sporting event being widely expected to deliver a major tourism boost.
With less than a month before kickoff, the National Association of Hotel Chains (ANCH) says average hotel occupancy in Mexico’s three host cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — is likely to reach between 60% and 65% during the tournament period.
The forecast falls well short of earlier projections. In February, consulting firm Deloitte estimated occupancy rates could exceed 80% across the host destinations as international soccer fans flocked to Mexico for matches.
Industry leaders acknowledge the World Cup is generating additional demand but say the surge has not matched initial expectations.
“We expected stronger results, but a June with a World Cup is still better than a June without one,” said Enrique Calderón, a board member of the National Association of Hotel Chains.
Hoteliers in Mexico City are expressing particular concern. According to the Mexico City Hotel Association, current reservation levels are tracking below those recorded during the summer of 2025, raising the possibility that occupancy during the World Cup period could underperform last year despite the tournament’s presence.
The trend is also being felt in the short-term rental sector. Property owners and Airbnb hosts in popular neighborhoods such as Condesa, Roma and Coyoacán have reported weaker-than-expected demand and, in some cases, have reduced nightly rates to attract bookings.
Industry observers point to several factors influencing travel decisions, including economic uncertainty in key source markets, rising travel costs, security perceptions and a more cautious approach to long-haul travel among international visitors.
However, tourism experts note that the World Cup’s impact extends far beyond hotel occupancy figures. Mexico is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of international visitors during the tournament, generating significant spending across restaurants, transportation services, attractions, retail outlets and entertainment venues.
The tournament also provides Mexico with a rare opportunity to showcase its destinations to a global audience. FIFA estimates billions of viewers worldwide will watch World Cup matches, offering extensive exposure for Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey as well as nearby leisure destinations. With a positive effect in the longer term.
Tourism officials believe the event’s long-term legacy could prove more valuable than immediate accommodation revenue. Previous FIFA World Cups have demonstrated that host nations often benefit from increased international awareness, stronger destination branding and higher visitor arrivals in the years following the tournament.
While an estimated 80% of travelers arriving during the tournament period are expected to visit Mexico for reasons unrelated to the World Cup, the event is still projected to provide a meaningful lift to the country’s tourism economy and reinforce Mexico’s position as one of the leading destinations in the Americas.
