Overview
- Hotel groups say FIFA has canceled big portions of its pre-booked room blocks in multiple host cities, with Vancouver losing about 70% to 80% of allocations, or roughly 15,000 room-nights.
- Toronto hotels report dropped blocks as well, and industry leaders describe a similar pattern across North America.
- Associations say trimming blocks is routine before major events, yet they call this scale unusual, and FIFA has not responded to requests for comment.
- Freed rooms are returning to public sale, and Vancouver expects heavy demand and high rates, with data pointing to about 90% occupancy despite the cancellations.
- Reports from The Globe and Mail, ABC News, The Independent, and El Financiero point to reductions in Philadelphia and Mexico City too, as the expanded World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 in 16 cities.