The Toronto hotel industry group reported that demand for rooms fell during the first two weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving a higher number of empty rooms than in the same period a year earlier. The decline was observed between June 8 and June 21, 2026, as the city hosted matches in the opening fortnight of the tournament.
Toronto normally experiences a surge in hotel bookings when it serves as a host city for the World Cup, with visitors drawn to the event boosting occupancy rates. This year, however, the group noted that the expected increase did not materialise, and the supply of available rooms exceeded the number of reservations received.
The comparison with the previous year highlights a shift in booking patterns, as the group’s data showed more vacant rooms during the same calendar dates in 2025. While the group did not provide specific percentages or figures, the contrast underscores a notable dip in hospitality activity during a period that typically benefits from heightened international and domestic travel.
Officials and business owners in the hospitality sector have been monitoring the situation closely, as the World Cup represents a significant economic opportunity for the city. The group’s findings suggest that the anticipated influx of fans and participants did not translate into the usual occupancy boost for Toronto’s hotels in the opening two weeks of the tournament.
The report comes as the city continues to host matches throughout the World Cup schedule, and it remains to be seen whether occupancy levels will recover in the later stages of the competition. The hotel industry group plans to continue tracking demand and will release further updates as the tournament progresses.
Overall, the early data points to a softer than expected start for Toronto’s hotel market during a period that historically brings a surge in bookings for the host city.