The FIFA World Cup has sparked a notable increase in travel to the United States, especially as the tournament reaches its semi-finals. With key matches scheduled, such as France versus Spain in Dallas and England facing Argentina in Atlanta, fans from around the globe are making last-minute travel arrangements to experience the excitement firsthand.

According to the Bank of America Institute, the impact of football tourism has been profound in host cities. David Tinsley, a senior economist at the institute, noted that the 'World Cup effect' is palpable in cities hosting the matches. Spending has surged since the tournament began, with restaurants and bars benefiting the most as locals and tourists gather to watch the games.

Analysis of credit and debit card spending data from Bank of America revealed a 5% increase in direct spending in host cities in the U.S. from June 10 to July 5 compared to the previous year, with Kansas City leading the way in this growth. The actual impact may be even greater, as these statistics only reflect transactions made with Bank of America cards and do not account for cash payments, checks, international spending, or business transactions.

Kansas City also reported the highest weekly revenue per available room increase among host cities, nearly 50%. Philadelphia saw a positive spike as well, with weekend revenues rising over 74% due to the World Cup coinciding with the Fourth of July celebrations and the America 250 events. This trend has alleviated concerns for many hotel owners who faced disappointing bookings prior to the tournament, especially after FIFA returned a significant number of pre-booked hotel rooms to the market.

As the tournament progresses into the knockout stage, the demand for accommodations between June 28 and July 4 increased by 2.4% compared to the previous year, with revenue per room rising by 23%, despite the number of matches being halved compared to the prior week. Short-term rental demand also surged as fans waited to see which teams would advance before making travel plans. Braham Gallagher, the economic forecasting director at AirDNA, stated that many fans opted to wait until they knew which teams would be competing in the later rounds before booking their trips.

Bhanu Chopra, founder of RateGain Travel Technologies and creator of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Market Pulse Index, highlighted Argentina as a prime example of this trend, noting that fans reacted almost immediately by booking travel after their team secured victories. Flight bookings from Argentina have surged nearly 46% compared to last year since the World Cup began, with flights to Atlanta, where Argentina will play in the round of 16 and potentially the semi-finals, more than doubling, increasing by 108%.

Overall, flight bookings to host cities have risen nearly 4% compared to last year. After the opening match, ticket sales increased by nearly 75% from the previous week. However, bookings from Argentina to the New York/New Jersey area, where the final will be held, are down about 15% compared to last year, while flights to Miami, where the third-place match will occur, have risen nearly 17%. This suggests that many Argentine fans remain cautious, uncertain whether their team will reach the final. Should Argentina overcome England in the semi-finals, a spike in bookings to New York is anticipated.

Data from AirDNA indicates that short-term rental bookings in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, which cater to fans attending the final, have increased by over 45% compared to last year. The director of AirDNA pointed out that this reflects the allure of the final match, compounded by short-term rental regulations in New York City that have shifted demand to neighboring areas. The rising demand has also driven up service prices, with Navan reporting that average hotel prices in New York City have exceeded $1,800 per night even before the World Cup commenced. Travelers booking at this time are willing to spend more on last-minute international flights, game tickets, and increasingly scarce hotel or Airbnb accommodations.