Hotels in US cities forced to slash World Cup prices because of lack of demand

Hotels in US cities forced to slash World Cup prices because of lack of demandSome hotels in US cities, such as Dallas, hosting World Cup games have cut prices by a third in the wake of lacklustre demand from fans deterred by high ticket costs for matchesMoneyGraham Hiscott Business and Consumer Editor16:35, 15 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesDallasis among the World Cup host cities where hoteliers have had to slash prices (Image: Art Wager)Hotels in the US have begun slashing prices for this summer’s World Cup due to a lack of demand.‌Figures suggest room rates have been cut by around a third in cities hosting games for the tournament, including Dallas where England play their opening match against Croatia in June 19. It comes amid a reported backlash at high ticket prices for games and anti-US sentiment.‌Gianni Infantino, head of football governing body Fifa, had predicted the World Cup - being staged in the US, Canada and Mexico - would deliver a surge in guests for hoteliers.‌But Vijay Dandapani, president and chief executive of the Hotel Association of New York City, said he could “categorically say we haven’t seen much of a meaningful boost yet.“It’s possible we will get some more demand, but at this point it certainly will not be the cornucopia that Fifa was promising,” he told the Financial Times.Scott Yesner, founder of hotel management company Bespoke Stay, said: “I’m seeing a lot of people start to panic and lower their rates.”‌View 3 ImagesThe boss of New York's hotel trade body said the promised boom in World Cup bookings has yet to be seen(Image: Getty Images)READ MORE: England fans face sevenfold New York price increase in latest World Cup rip offREAD MORE: Pub bookings for World Cup already filling up fast - with two months leftFifa itself has cancelled reservations for thousands of contracted hotel rooms for staff. While some over booking was expected, hoteliers say it has left them with a lot more rooms to sell.Dates and UK times of home nations' gr...