Hotels across the United States are cutting prices for the upcoming World Cup due to lower demand. Room rates in cities hosting tournament matches, such as Dallas where England faces Croatia on June 19, have been reduced by about one-third. Despite Fifa’s expectations of increased guest numbers, hoteliers have not seen a significant boost yet.
Vijay Dandapani, the President of the Hotel Association of New York City, mentioned that the surge in demand predicted by Fifa has not materialized. Scott Yesner, from Bespoke Stay, noted a trend of hotels lowering rates out of concern.
Fifa has canceled thousands of reserved hotel rooms for staff, leaving hoteliers with excess room inventory. Dissatisfaction with the current US administration and visa policies, along with high ticket prices, are deterring visitors. The cost of tickets has risen significantly compared to the initial bid, with England fans needing to pay at least $220 (£162) for group stage matches.
Ticket prices escalate as the tournament progresses, with final tickets reaching up to £6,400 each. The Football Supporters Association has criticized these high prices as “scandalous.”
