Houston is gearing up to welcome more than 500,000 visitors for the World Cup games in just four months, with hotels across the city making massive investments to prepare for the international spotlight.
By the numbers
$100 million: Downtown Houston+ estimate of total investment in hotel upgrades and expansions
130%: Increase in hotel bookings for June and July
300%: Current increase in hotel rates due to World Cup demand
500,000: Expected visitors during the World Cup period
Where are visitors coming from?
Houston First provided the following information based on booking data for June and July so far.
Top U.S. Markets:
Other parts of Texas
Florida
New York
Georgia
California
International Hotspots:
Mexico
Canada
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Japan
Major Hotel Projects UnderwaySam Houston Hotel
City’s oldest operating hotel
Just completed 18-month renovation
Features new lobby
Revamped bar
Upgraded rooms
Added Texas-themed design elements
JW Marriott (Expanding into Historic Battlestein’s Building)
Converting historic department store
Adding 56 new rooms
New event space
Rooftop pool and bar under construction
Home2Suites and Tru by Hilton Houston Downtown
Opened March 2025
$37.4 million construction loan in late 2022
221 rooms near Toyota Center
Holiday Inn Express & Staybridge Suites Houston
$52.5 million construction loan in 2023
275 rooms
The Greenleigh
Replacing Hotel Derek at Westheimer and I-610
Set to open summer 2026
299 rooms, resort-style pool, rooftop bar
What Tourism Officials Are Saying
“The World Cup provides a platform for us to show the whole world that this is a place, not only that it’s a good place to live, but it’s also a great place to visit,” said Jorge Franz, Senior Vice President, Tourism and Industry Relations and Tourism at Houston First. “We want more visitors to come. We want them to stay longer when they come, and then we also want them come back.”
Houston has more than 100,000 hotel rooms, Franz said.
What This Means for Visitors
Despite the significant rate increases, tourism officials emphasize that Houston’s diverse hotel market should accommodate various budgets.
“We have enough differing options of hotels in Houston that I think everyone will be able to find something that’s in their price range,” Franz said.
He encouraged anyone looking to book to continue monitoring prices.
Beyond Hotels
The city is making broader preparations, including:
What’s Next
Houston First anticipates additional booking surges as the tournament approaches, with current data showing unprecedented interest in the city’s accommodations during the World Cup period.
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