With less than a year until Canada co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hotel availability and skyrocketing prices are already becoming a challenge for fans planning to attend matches in Toronto and Vancouver.
The two cities will stage a combined 13 games, with Toronto hosting six at its newly renamed Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) beginning June 12, 2026, and Vancouver welcoming seven at BC Place. While the tournament promises an economic windfall, the surge in demand has pushed accommodation costs into uncharted territory.
Vancouver, in particular, is feeling the crunch. Travel journalist Loren Christie told CTV’s Your Morning that many hotel rooms are already sold out and those that remain are commanding sky-high rates. He noted that some relief may come once FIFA releases room blocks currently held for VIPs, players, and media, but a clearer picture may not emerge until early next year.
To cope, officials are turning to alternative lodging solutions. The University of British Columbia will open dorms, while Airbnb and VRBO are partnering with the city to expand short-term rentals. Other options being floated include RV parks and campgrounds for fans seeking more affordable stays.
Toronto, meanwhile, has seen a steadier rise in prices. The city expects the World Cup to generate nearly $400 million in local economic benefits and has temporarily raised its municipal accommodation tax from 6 percent to 8.5 percent until July 31, 2026. That increase applies to both hotels and short-term rentals. While June hotel rates hover around $600 a night, they are not spiking as dramatically as Vancouver’s.
Both host cities are also planning major fan zones and celebrations that promise to turn the World Cup into a festival atmosphere. As Christie pointed out, the buzz may ultimately outweigh concerns over prices. “If you remember Taylor Swift,” he said, “there was a lot of talk about hotel prices. But then when Taylor came, it was all about the vibe in the city and all the great things that were going on.”