Sports
2026 World Cup: Hotel Room Rates Soar 328% Across Host Cities
2026 World Cup: Hotel Room Rates Soar 328% Across Host Cities
Hotel room rates across North America have surged to record levels ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with average prices jumping 328 per cent across 16 host cities, according to a market analysis by The Athletic, the sports publication of The New York Times.
The dramatic spike followed last week’s World Cup draw, signalling an aggressive pricing wave that could significantly affect World Cup travel plans, sports tourism, and local economies across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The sharpest increase was recorded in Mexico City, host of the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026. At Le Méridien Mexico City Reforma, room rates soared from $157 per night in late May to $3,882 during the match window — a staggering 2,373 per cent increase, one of the highest ever seen around a major sporting event.
Across six sampled hotels in Mexico City, the average nightly rate rose from $172 to $1,572, representing a 961 per cent surge. Mexico dominated the top of the price-increase chart, with Monterrey posting a 466 per cent rise and Guadalajara recording a 405 per cent increase.
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With the United States hosting about 75 per cent of all 2026 World Cup matches, American hotels are also seeing substantial gains. Cities with the steepest increases include Houston (+457 per cent average, with Hilton Houston Plaza up 837 per cent), Kansas City (+364 per cent), Atlanta (+344 per cent), San Francisco Bay Area (+342 per cent), and New York/New Jersey (+228 per cent).
In the New York–New Jersey corridor, where Brazil face Morocco on June 13, two hotels near MetLife Stadium raised prices by 437 per cent and 503 per cent respectively. For the World Cup final on July 19, some hotels are now charging over $3,500 per night.
In Los Angeles, demand is surging ahead of the USA vs Paraguay opener on June 12, with average room rates climbing 211 per cent. Premium hotels such as the Avalon Beverly Hills have recorded increases exceeding 300 per cent.
Canada presents a mixed picture. Toronto remains the most affordable host city, with a relatively modest 78 per cent increase, while Vancouver saw room rates jump 344 per cent for Australia’s June 13 match, with prices reaching $1,759 per night.
Analysts say the current trend exceeds even Olympic-level inflation. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, hotel prices rose by 141 per cent, less than half the average increase now tied to the 2026 World Cup hotel rates.
According to The Athletic, FIFA, Marriott, and Hilton declined to comment on the pricing strategy, raising concerns over consumer protection, market regulation, and the possible impact on global fan attendance.
Economic experts warn that while the surge reflects high demand, limited hotel supply, and aggressive revenue optimisation, it could also backfire if fans opt for Airbnb, suburban hotels, cross-border commuting, or abandon travel plans altogether, potentially reshaping the hospitality market ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
2026 World Cup: Hotel Room Rates Soar 328% Across Host Cities
Sports
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal handed Premier League leaders Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners struggled to break down a resilient five-man Wolves defence, taking until the 70th minute to open the scoring. Bukayo Saka curled in a corner that goalkeeper Sam Johnstone pushed onto the post, with the ball rebounding off the keeper’s back to put Arsenal ahead.
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Wolves responded late, sending multiple crosses into the box before Mateus Mane found Tolu Arokodare, who headed home in the 90th minute to level the score and send fans into panic.
However, Saka delivered the decisive moment, cutting in from the right and curling a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, only for Mosquera to inadvertently head the ball past his own keeper in stoppage time, giving Arsenal the victory and sending the home crowd into jubilation.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the game as a “rollercoaster,” praising his side’s resilience while acknowledging areas for improvement. The victory came despite the early withdrawal of Ben White with a hamstring injury.
The thrilling win extends Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points over Manchester City, as they prepare for a challenging trip to Everton next week.
Premier League: Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 in Thrilling Stoppage-Time Finish
Sports
Osimhen Scores as Galatasaray Thrash Antalyaspor, Shift Transfer Focus to Salah
Osimhen Scores as Galatasaray Thrash Antalyaspor, Shift Transfer Focus to Salah
Victor Osimhen continued his impressive form for Galatasaray, scoring his latest Turkish Super Lig goal as the champions cruised to a 4-1 victory over Antalyaspor on Sunday.
Galatasaray made a flying start, taking the lead in the 7th minute when Leroy Sané finished calmly after being played through by Yunus Akgün, beating goalkeeper Abdullah Yiğiter. Just four minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage as Sallai fired home from outside the box following a pass from Barış Alper Yılmaz.
The defining moment came in the 56th minute, when Osimhen latched onto a long ball from Yunus Akgün, surged into the penalty area from the left and slotted past Yiğiter to make it 3-0, taking his Super Lig goal tally higher.
Galatasaray maintained control for the remainder of the match to seal a convincing 4-1 win, underlining their title credentials.
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Meanwhile, off the pitch, Galatasaray transfer news continues to generate headlines. Club commentator Uğur Karakullukçu revealed that the Turkish giants are now prioritising a move for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, ahead of Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman.
Both Salah and Lookman have been linked with a potential switch to the Turkish Super Lig, with Lookman recently reintegrated into the Atalanta squad after a stalled summer exit, while Salah has endured a turbulent period at Liverpool, including being left out of a recent Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.
The developments signal Galatasaray’s growing ambition as they eye marquee signings to strengthen their squad.
Osimhen Scores as Galatasaray Thrash Antalyaspor, Shift Transfer Focus to Salah
Sports
Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit
Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit
Chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Saturday after Lionel Messi abruptly left the arena during his highly anticipated visit to India, triggering anger among thousands of fans who had paid heavily to see the football superstar.
The Argentina and Inter Miami forward, who arrived in West Bengal as part of a three-day visit dubbed the “GOAT Tour”, was welcomed earlier in the day by jubilant supporters chanting his name. However, excitement quickly turned into frustration when tight security arrangements prevented fans from getting a clear view of the 38-year-old football legend.
Wearing Messi jerseys and waving Argentine flags, spectators packed the stadium, hoping to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner play a brief exhibition match. Instead, Messi merely walked around the pitch, waved to fans and left earlier than expected.
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Moments later, angry spectators broke barricades, stormed the pitch, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles, vandalising banners and tents. Several fans complained of poor planning and crowd control.
“For me, watching Messi is a dream, but I missed the chance due to mismanagement,” said 37-year-old businessman Nabin Chatterjee, speaking to AFP.
Tickets reportedly sold for over $100, with many fans saying they had spent a month’s salary to attend the event. “I paid Rs 5,000 to watch Messi, not politicians. The organisers failed us,” another fan, Ajay Shah, told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Before the unrest, Messi unveiled a 21-metre statue of himself holding the FIFA World Cup, a major highlight of the event.
Following the incident, West Bengal Police confirmed the arrest of the event’s chief organiser, while authorities began discussions on possible ticket refunds.
State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and football fans, describing the situation as “disturbing” and “shocking,” and ordered a probe into the incident.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) distanced itself from the event, clarifying that it had no role in the planning or execution of the privately organised tour.
Despite the chaos in Kolkata, Messi’s India tour will continue with scheduled visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, including a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi recently won his second consecutive MLS MVP award after leading Inter Miami to the Major League Soccer title and is expected to captain Argentina at the 2026 World Cup defence in North America.
Messi Tour Chaos in India: Angry Fans Storm Kolkata Stadium After Football Icon’s Abrupt Exit
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