World Cup Hotel Numbers Still Far Behind Projections Despite Uptick on Match Days

NEW YORK, NY (06/26/2026) (readMedia)-- In response to reports suggesting that a last-minute surge in World Cup bookings has suddenly transformed the tournament into an economic boom for New York City hotels, the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) noted that the broader data tells a different-much more disappointing-story.

While hotel occupancy increased on June 13, the day of the first World Cup match in NY/NJ, compared with the same day last year, performance has been weaker across much of the tournament. Occupancy for June 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 was actually less than the same period in 2025. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) also declined on June 18 and 19 compared with last year-and overall revenue projections are far below what was originally estimated.

Statement from Vijay Dandapani, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC):

"The recent surge in bookings over a few days this month is certainly welcome to the hotel industry, but it is also misleading. Hotel occupancy is overall actually less than the same period in 2025 for most of the World Cup so far and revenue is far off projections. Despite the improvement in numbers, this World Cup is simply not going to be the economic boom for city hotels that some predicted."

HANYC now estimates that New York City hotels will generate between $100 million and $150 million in World Cup-related revenue, significantly below the original projection of $250 million to $300 million made based on FIFA's promise of 1.2 million World Cup tourists. HANYC also noted that some of the increase in hotel bookings on June 13 was likely attributable to visitors attending the Knicks' playoff run, not solely the World Cup.

The World Cup disappointment comes as the industry faces major headwinds from mounting operating costs, slowed revenue growth, persistent inflation, and a prolonged tourism slowdown. Together, they threaten a cornerstone of New York City's economy that supports more than 40,000 hotel workers and 400,000 hospitality workers while generating billions in annual tax revenue that helps fund essential public services.