Seattle eyes World Cup crowds as hotel bookings lag forecasts

Seattle and several U.S. host cities report hotel bookings below expectations on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite more than 5 million tickets sold. Factors like visa delays, higher travel costs, and late booking surges are dampening international demand, though Visit Seattle remains hopeful that bookings will pick up as the tournament approaches. The city emphasizes its walkable downtown to the stadiums and potential for a late surge, while nationwide trends show mixed results and a modest 1.7% rise in revenue per available room during the event.