Brits abroad: excitement is building ahead of the World Cup in North America | News
Anticipation is building for the World Cup in North America this summer, with new data from Amadeus illustrating the positive momentum.
Data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence shows that total airline bookings to the United States, Canada and Mexico for travel within the tournament period (June 5 – July 19) increased by 15 percent from January 8 compared to the same dates the previous year.
This includes both domestic and international travel.
Following the publication of the fixture schedule on December 6, Amadeus data recorded a sharp increase in bookings for travel during the tournament dates, with 37 percent of flight bookings taking place in the month following the draw.
British travelers are leading the way, with 18 percent of total international bookings to the US, Mexico and Canada coming from Britain as fans prepare to watch their teams play.
Flight bookings made in December 2025 between Scotland and Boston, to travel during the tournament dates, show a 162-fold increase compared to December 2024, as Scotland prepares for the first match against Haiti at Gillette Stadium on June 13.
Meanwhile, Amadeus recorded three and a half times the number of bookings made in December 2025 by English fans heading to New York/New Jersey for the period compared to the same month the year before.
This comes as the Three Lions prepare for their first match against Panama on June 27.
Football fever is spreading across North America
Taking a closer look at the property, it becomes clear that this is a true North American tournament, with both Canada and Mexico seeing strong increases in occupancy during the opening stages.
On the eve and day of group matches, Amadeus Demand360 data shows that hotels in Vancouver are already welcoming an average occupancy of 53 percent this summer, significantly higher than the 31 percent on comparable dates last year.
In Toronto, hotel occupancy for the five group matches increases from 15 percent last year to 29 percent this year.
These figures are also expected to rise in the coming months as we get closer to kick-off.
Mexico City – which will host the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 – is also expecting a great summer.
On the evenings leading up to and of the three group matches hosted in the city, the average occupancy is 21 percent, compared to four percent in the same period in 2025.
Similar trends can be seen in Guadalajara and Monterrey, with average occupancy rates rising from three percent in both destinations on comparable dates last year to 24 percent and 37 percent respectively on the eve and day of group games this summer.
As of January 7, average occupancy across the 16 venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada increased from 16 percent to 29 percent on the eve and day of matches during the group stage, which runs from June 11 to 28. This indicates strong, widespread demand ahead of kickoff this summer.
Michael Yeomans, head of travel information at Amadeus, said: “With many of the qualifying countries confirmed and the fixtures taking shape, football fans from all over the world are making plans to visit North America this summer.
“The excitement has spread across the three host countries, with Canada and Mexico making the most of the opportunities in the hospitality sector. As an English citizen, I will personally support my team and hope to bring home the cup!”
