With the FIFA World Cup 2026 only weeks away, Toronto’s hospitality industry is gearing up for a major influx of visitors, and hotel occupancy rates across the city are already climbing as soccer fans from around the world finalize their travel plans.
As one of the host cities for the world’s largest sporting event, Toronto is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors during the tournament, with more than half of ticket holders for the six matches scheduled at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) coming from outside the region. The growing demand is already having an impact on accommodation prices, although industry leaders say rates remain far below the extraordinary levels witnessed during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2024.
According to Sara Anghel, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Hotels Association, hotel occupancy levels are currently running approximately 28 per cent higher than they were during the same period in 2024 and 2025. While bookings have increased significantly, she noted that demand has not yet reached the levels some host cities initially anticipated.
Toronto’s hotel sector, however, remains confident and well prepared. Fresh off successfully hosting major international events, including last year’s World Series, hotel operators are optimistic about welcoming visitors while managing the expected surge in tourism.
The city’s first World Cup match will take place on June 12 when Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, and hotel rates during that period reflect the heightened demand. Luxury accommodations in downtown Toronto are commanding premium prices, with some of the city’s most prestigious hotels seeing nightly rates rise substantially.
A stay at the iconic The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is currently priced at approximately $1,325 per night for a standard city-view room during the tournament period. The same room costs around $795 per night only weeks later. Similarly, rooms at The St. Regis Toronto are selling for roughly $1,200 per night compared with approximately $795 after the tournament concludes.
Guests seeking luxury accommodations at the historic Fairmont Royal York can expect to pay about $616 per night for a standard room during the World Cup period, compared with approximately $437 per night later in July.
Mid-range hotels are also experiencing price increases. Hotel X Toronto, the closest hotel to Toronto Stadium, is offering king rooms at roughly $599 per night during the tournament. At InterContinental Toronto Centre, rates are approaching $669 per night, while rooms at Delta Hotels Toronto are averaging around $666 per night.
Travellers looking for more affordable options near the airport can still find comparatively lower rates. Rooms at Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport are available for approximately $329 per night, while Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport is charging about $549 per night. Budget-conscious visitors can find rooms at Quality Inn & Suites Airport West for approximately $218 per night.
Despite the increases, industry experts note that current pricing remains significantly below the levels experienced during Taylor Swift’s record-breaking concerts in Toronto, when some hotel rooms sold for nearly ten times their normal rates. Anghel believes the nature of the World Cup schedule and the specific matches being hosted in Toronto may be contributing to a more moderate demand pattern.
The FIFA World Cup represents one of the largest tourism opportunities in Toronto’s history, bringing international exposure, economic activity, and millions of dollars in visitor spending to hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and local attractions. Businesses across the Greater Toronto Area are preparing for a busy summer season as soccer supporters from around the globe arrive to experience both the tournament and the city itself.
For travellers still planning to attend matches in Toronto, industry officials recommend booking accommodations as soon as possible. While rooms remain available in many locations, availability is steadily shrinking and prices are expected to continue rising as kickoff approaches.
As Canada prepares to host the world alongside the United States and Mexico, Toronto’s hotels are already experiencing the first signs of what promises to be one of the most significant tourism events ever staged on Canadian soil.