Soccer fever is set to reach new heights when the FIFA World Cup comes to North America this summer.
With Mexico playing a central role as one of the host nations. Matches will take place in three major cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — creating a prime opportunity for travel advisors to craft sports-focused itineraries that blend world-class football with the cultural richness of Mexico’s largest destinations.
Guadalajara, in particular, is expected to see a significant surge in visitation. Matches in the city are scheduled for June 11, 18, 23 and 26, and tourism officials anticipate a major economic and cultural impact.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a transformative event for Jalisco and Guadalajara, both economically and culturally,” said Michelle Fridman, secretary of tourism for the state of Jalisco. “Guadalajara will be at the center of global attention and international tourism. We expect the state to receive approximately 3 million visitors and generate an estimated economic impact of 20 billion pesos during the tournament, significantly boosting the usual visitor flow and elevating Jalisco’s position as a global tourist destination.”
To prepare for the influx, the state is expanding its hotel inventory to more than 90,000 rooms and strengthening air connectivity into Guadalajara. Fridman emphasized the importance of early planning, advising travel professionals to secure accommodations and flights well in advance.
“Demand for air travel and lodging will be exceptionally high,” she noted. “Guadalajara and the wider state of Jalisco are adding 40 new hotels and thousands of additional rooms ahead of the event, but early bookings will still be essential to ensure availability.”
Booking data already reflects the rising demand. According to Jaroslaw Grabczak, head of commercial product at eSky Group, global interest in travel to Mexico surrounding the World Cup has increased sharply.
“We are seeing a significant surge in travel demand, with data indicating an increase of around 70%,” Grabczak said. “This reflects the convergence of two powerful motivations: attending the world’s most anticipated sporting event and exploring Mexico, a destination renowned for its cultural depth and diversity.”
World Cup Packages and Premium Travel Options
For advisors looking to offer comprehensive World Cup experiences, operators such as On Location — the official hospitality provider of the tournament — present turnkey solutions. Its packages include guaranteed match tickets with preferred seating, access to the FIFA Pavilion, and hospitality elements such as meals, beverages, live entertainment and photo opportunities.
Roadtrips is also streamlining World Cup travel in Mexico with customizable packages across all host cities. Options include a range of hotels, on-site event hosts and its popular “Follow Your Team” packages, designed to help fans attend matches featuring their favorite teams in multiple cities.
High-net-worth travelers may opt for private aviation solutions. Air charter specialists like Chapman Freeborn are seeing increased interest from clients seeking flexibility and exclusivity.
“From an aviation standpoint, the World Cup is uniquely complex,” said Aniko Mersek, senior vice president of sales at Chapman Freeborn. “Travel schedules often depend on match outcomes, with flights confirmed only once teams advance. When you add matches across three countries, flexibility becomes absolutely essential.”
In addition to Guadalajara, matches will be played in Mexico City on June 11, 17, 24 and 30, with a later match on July 5. Monterrey will host games on June 14, 20, 24 and 29.
Cancun as a Strategic Gateway
While Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey host the matches, other destinations are also positioning themselves to benefit from World Cup travel. Cancun, in particular, is emerging as a strategic gateway for fans traveling throughout North America.
“Cancun is positioning itself as a World Cup gateway by leveraging one of the most connected airports in the region,” said Andres Martinez, CEO of the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board. “From Cancun International Airport, travelers have direct flights to all FIFA World Cup host cities in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, making it easy to combine match attendance with a Caribbean vacation.”
Thanks to its extensive air connectivity, Cancun offers fans the flexibility to attend multiple matches while enjoying beach time between games. Martinez added that hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues in the Mexican Caribbean are expected to roll out themed experiences inspired by the World Cup.
“The message is simple,” he said. “Stay in the Mexican Caribbean, fly direct to the games, and return to the beach.”
Ultimately, industry experts agree that this World Cup presents a unique moment for Mexico as a travel destination.
“With the World Cup as its backdrop, Mexico offers travelers a rare opportunity to combine world-class football with meaningful cultural and historical exploration,” Grabczak said. “It’s an experience that seamlessly merges passion for sport with the desire for deeper discovery.”
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