EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Visitors arriving in New Jersey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are encountering a lodging market marked by sharply higher hotel rates, premium parking charges and a mix of luxury properties and budget motels near the tournament’s flagship venue, according to hotel operators and industry data released ahead of the competition. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is scheduled to host eight matches, including the World Cup final on July 19.
Hotels in the Meadowlands area have raised prices significantly for match days. The recently renovated World of Blue hotel, located near the stadium, listed rooms for the final at about $2,300 per night and parking at up to $450, according to its published rates. Reuters reported that the hotel invested heavily in renovations before the tournament and is seeking to capitalize on expected demand from international visitors.
Nearby budget accommodations and motels have also increased prices, with some properties charging several times their usual rates during the tournament period, according to Reuters reporting. At the same time, some operators have begun lowering rates for earlier matches after demand fell short of expectations.
Industry analysts said booking activity has been weaker than many hoteliers anticipated. Data from hospitality analytics firm CoStar showed that hotel reservations in the New York City area remained below levels recorded for comparable dates a year earlier. Jan Freitag, CoStar’s director of U.S. hospitality, told Reuters that demand could strengthen as the tournament progresses and higher-profile teams advance.
“For some of the markets, the hotel demand will come once the later games in the World Cup will get seeded, and stronger teams survive,” Freitag said. “Those teams then will attract their crowds.”
The lodging market reflects broader concerns about travel costs associated with the tournament. Analysts and tourism officials have pointed to expensive match tickets, airfare and transportation as factors that may be affecting booking patterns. Some fans are choosing to stay in New York City and commute to matches rather than book accommodations near the stadium.
New Jersey and New York officials have promoted transportation options linking the stadium to regional transit networks, while hotel operators continue to prepare for potential late bookings. As of mid-June, available rooms remained on the market across much of the region, and industry observers said the full impact of World Cup tourism on local accommodations remains uncertain.
