Flight and accommodation bookings for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico climbed markedly after the match schedule was published in December, travel technology provider Amadeus reported on Tuesday. British travellers accounted for 18% of the flight reservations to North America made since the schedule announcement.
Amadeus data indicates a concentrated surge of planning activity: 37% of reservations covering the tournament period - from June 11 to July 19 - were made in the month following the draw. That uptick was particularly evident among fans from England and Scotland, according to data compiled by World Cup observers alongside Amadeus.
At the same time, travel from Europe to the United States has overall declined since President Donald Trump’s election in November 2024, with many visitors reporting deterrence due to increased scrutiny at border crossings. A recent increase in violent incidents connected to ICE detentions in Minneapolis has heightened fears for some potential travellers, though the Amadeus and World Cup watcher figures show bookings rising despite those concerns.
Analysts caution that a major sporting event does not automatically translate into elevated inbound tourism for host nations: the 2024 Paris Olympics offers an example where a large sports event did not necessarily produce a sustained travel boost for the host. Travel consultant Paul Charles, CEO of The PC Agency, said the tournament offers fans a rare opportunity to see elite football and will draw supporters to watch top players in action. He also noted that safety considerations matter and that visitors will be hoping for calm in host cities and that their travel insurance remains valid for trips planned in June and July.
"The tournament is a chance to see the most talented football players in the world and fans will go almost anywhere to watch the finest, whatever the policies and politics of the host country," said Paul Charles. "However, safety is a key factor too, so visitors will be hoping that calm prevails in host cities and that their travel insurance will remain valid for their planned trips in June and July."
Amadeus highlighted the strongest single-day rise in flight bookings occurred for the opening match in New York City between Brazil and Morocco, which saw over 2,500 flight reservations. Hotel demand has increased in Canada and Mexico as well. In Mexico City, average hotel occupancy on the nights ahead of three scheduled matches rose to 21% from 4% for the same period a year earlier.
Amadeus' reporting does not indicate whether more recent immigration raids in the United States have affected bookings for the 2026 tournament. The data available shows clear growth in reservations following the draw, but does not establish the influence of subsequent developments on booking patterns.
These trends highlight competing forces shaping travel decisions: strong event-driven demand, particularly from the United Kingdom and nearby markets, set against concerns about border policies, safety incidents and insurance validity that may temper some visitors' plans.