A traveler recently shared on TikTok that she was able to cut her hotel costs significantly by rebooking her Atlanta stay just a few months after her initial purchase. The TikTok user, known as The Carolina Diamond, explained that she originally booked a Marriott hotel room in Atlanta back in February for the World Cup dates, when the rate for a single night was approximately $1,050.
According to Brobible, when she checked the pricing again in May, she found the same room listed for just $383.76. Her advice to fellow travelers is straightforward: if you have already booked, check whether you can cancel and rebook to take advantage of the lower rates.
She noted that after looking around, the price drop appeared to be happening across the metro Atlanta area. She estimated that downtown hotel prices are currently falling between $250 and $400 a night.
Atlanta outperforms most host cities, but local businesses still feel the pressure
Her experience is not an isolated case. A report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, released in May 2026, found that 80 percent of hotels across host markets said their bookings were tracking below expectations. The association pointed partly to FIFA, claiming the organization overbooked blocks of rooms that did not reflect actual demand on the ground.
According to Newsweek, about half of the hotels in the city reported that their reservations were in line with or exceeding expectations, making it one of the stronger performers in the survey alongside Miami. However, other host cities are having a harder time, and local business owners in Atlanta are not entirely free from the pressure either.
The owner of The State Hotel in Seattle reported that occupancy for June is 7 percent below last year’s figures, describing the situation as frustrating. Newsweek cites an Atlanta Airbnb owner, who said that his property near the stadium had seen zero bookings for World Cup games, despite the property usually being fully occupied during busy periods.
Some fans have cited high costs as a major barrier to attending. Between airfare and steep accommodation prices, many potential attendees are finding the trip out of reach. According to the BBC, President Donald Trump commented on the $1,000 price tag for the U.S. team’s opening game against Paraguay, saying, “I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”
Separately, an influential FIFA voice calling for a World Cup boycott amid Trump-related controversies has added another layer of uncertainty around attendance figures. FIFA has maintained that ticket sales remain strong.
A FIFA spokesperson stated that over 5 million tickets have already been sold, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver that there were 500 million ticket requests.
Infantino also defended the pricing structure, saying that while some tickets are expensive, more affordable options are available for fans. The 2026 tournament is the largest ever staged, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host cities. In one notable case, NYC Mayor Mamdani securing 50 World Cup tickets, with a catch involving a bus to New Jersey, drew attention to how cities are navigating ticket access for residents.
For travelers reconsidering their plans, industry experts suggest not rushing into cancellations. Didio Pequeno, director of hospitality market analytics for Northeast and Midwestern U.S. at CoStar Group, said there could still be a surge in demand once the tournament begins.
If major teams such as England, France, Argentina, or Spain advance into the knockout stages, an influx of travelers looking for rooms could push prices back up. Before making any changes, travelers are advised to check current prices for their specific dates and confirm the refund policy on their existing booking.
Published: Jun 3, 2026 11:14 am