Since the FIFA World Cup draw on 5 December last year, a so-called “domino effect” has taken hold, sending ticket prices and accommodation costs soaring across host cities. Football fans hoping to witness the action live are now being advised to increase their credit card limits well in advance, as the 2026 tournament is shaping up to be the most expensive in history. This assessment comes from a recent report by The Athletic.
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Skyrocketing Ticket Prices
The primary driver behind the eye-watering costs is the unprecedented ticket demand. Approximately 500 million applications were submitted for the ticket lottery between 11 December and 13 January. FIFA is set to notify successful applicants via email on 5 February.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously predicted that many fans would attempt to resell tickets for profit, a move that is likely to place official tickets beyond the reach of ordinary supporters.
| Ticket Data | Figure |
|---|---|
| Application period | 11 December – 13 January |
| Total applications | ~500 million |
| Winner notification | 5 February |
Accommodation Costs Surge
Obtaining a ticket is only the first hurdle; securing a place to stay presents an equally formidable challenge. Fans often rely on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, but rental prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels.
For instance, near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a hotel room that normally costs $153 (~£125) per night is now priced at $4,510 (~£3,700), marking an astonishing 2,848% increase. In Short Hills, a seven-bedroom property available for three nights is being listed at $35,000 (~£28,700). Even in Los Angeles, short-term rental demand has risen 121%, and overall searches for accommodation have surged 160% since the draw. Many cities lack sufficient hotel capacity to meet the influx of visitors.
| City / Area | Standard Rate | World Cup Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife Stadium, NJ | $153 | $4,510 | 2,848% |
| Short Hills, 7-bedroom | $12,000 | $35,000 | 191% |
| Los Angeles Short-term | N/A | N/A | 121% |
Parking Costs and Logistics
Attending matches by car is proving equally expensive. Official FIFA parking spots in Los Angeles are priced between $250–$300, often exceeding the cost of mid-tier tickets. Moreover, parking at $300 typically requires walking over a mile to the stadium, although FIFA deems a 20–25 minute walk reasonable under “local conditions.”
Booking Cancellations and Price Gouging
Some property owners are cancelling existing bookings to re-list at inflated rates. Croatian-American fan Anthony Zoric booked a property in Dallas for $327, only for the host to cancel citing “maintenance” shortly after the draw. Within an hour, the same property was re-listed at $917, nearly triple the original price.
Airbnb has pledged to penalise offending hosts through fines and account suspensions, but fans continue to face frustration. English supporter John Sear described a similar incident in Boston, where a property he booked was abruptly cancelled due to a claimed “software error,” which he suspects was a pretext for raising the rental price.
The “World Cup Effect”
Airbnb became an official FIFA partner in June 2025. Analysts predict transactions on the platform alone could reach $1.2 billion during the tournament. Economists compare this to phenomena such as the “Taylor Swift Effect” or “Beyoncé Effect,” where a major event significantly boosts a city’s economy.
From now until 19 July 2026, the world may witness the full force of the so-called World Cup Effect, demonstrating how global sporting spectacles can create a financial whirlwind for fans and local economies alike.