Soccer excitement will reach a fevered pitch when the FIFA World Cup arrives in North America this summer. Fans will find multiple opportunities to witness the action firsthand in Mexico, where three cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — are playing host.
Matches in these three destinations present travel advisors with a unique opportunity to design sports-focused vacation itineraries that combine world-class soccer with the allure of Mexico’s three largest destinations.
Michelle Fridman, secretary of tourism for the state of Jalisco, expects high visitation numbers for the matches in Guadalajara, which takes place June 11, 18, 23 and 26.
"The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a transformative event for Jalisco and Guadalajara, economically and culturally,” she said. “Guadalajara will be at the center of global attention and international tourism. We expect the state to receive around 3 million visitors and a projected economic impact of 20 billion pesos during the tournament period, significantly increasing the usual visitor flow and elevating Jalisco’s position as a global tourist destination.”
Preparations in the state include expanding hotel capacity to more than 90,000 rooms and strengthening air connectivity into Guadalajara, according to Fridman. She recommends that advisors book early for clients to avoid difficulties.
“Demand for air travel and accommodations will be exceptionally high,” she explained. “Guadalajara and the broader state of Jalisco are expanding hotel capacity, with 40 new hotels and thousands of new rooms being developed ahead of the event —, but early bookings will still be crucial to ensure availability.”
Rising demand is already reflected in booking data, according to Jaroslaw Grabczak, head of commercial product at eSky Group.
“We are observing a substantial surge in global travel demand to Mexico surrounding the FIFA World Cup, with our data indicating an increase of approximately 70%,” he said. “This heightened interest reflects a convergence of two powerful motivations: attending the world’s most anticipated sporting event and exploring Mexico, a destination known for its cultural depth and exceptional diversity.”
World Cup Packages in Mexico
Advisors seeking inclusive packages for their clients should consider operators such as On Location, the official hospitality provider for the World Cup. The company offers guaranteed, single-match tickets with preferred seating and access to the FIFA Pavilion. Packages also include meals, drinks, live entertainment and photo opportunities.
On Location offers guaranteed, single-match tickets with preferred seating and access to the FIFA Pavilion.
Credit: 2026 On LocationAlso streamlining the planning experience for World Cup travel in Mexico is Roadtrips, which has created customizable packages at all the host cities, with a variety of hotel options and the services of event hosts on-site. Roadtrips also offers Follow Your Team packages, which make it easier for travelers to attend matches with their favorite teams in multiple cities.
High-net-worth travelers, meanwhile, may want to charter their own private transportation with air charter specialists such as Chapman Freeborn.
“From an aviation perspective, the World Cup is uniquely complex,” said Aniko Mersek, senior vice president of sales for Chapman Freeborn. “Travel schedules often depend on match results, meaning flights may only be confirmed once a team progresses to the next stage. Add to that the fact that matches are spread across three countries, and flexibility becomes essential.”
Matches take place in Mexico City on June 11, 17, 24 and 30, as well as on July 5, while in Monterrey, matches are slated for June 14, 20, 24 and 29.
Cancun as a World Cup Gateway
Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey may be the host cities, but at least one other destination in Mexico is also expecting to benefit from global soccer excitement.
“Cancun is positioning itself as a strategic World Cup gateway for North America, leveraging its role as one of the most connected airports in the region,” said Andres Martinez, CEO of the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board. “From Cancun International Airport, travelers have direct flights to all FIFA World Cup host cities across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, allowing fans to seamlessly combine match attendance with a Caribbean vacation."
Cancun’s extensive connectivity, according to Martinez, makes it a logical choice for soccer fans looking to attend multiple matches and also enjoy some sun and sand.
“The message is clear: Stay in the Mexican Caribbean, fly direct to the games, and return to the beach,” he said, noting that hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues are expected to create themed experiences inspired by the World Cup.
Regardless of where in Mexico fans choose to attend the World Cup, eSky Group’s Grabczak sees this year’s event as exceptional.
“With the World Cup as its backdrop, Mexico gives travelers a rare opportunity to combine world-class football with meaningful cultural and historical exploration,” he said. “It’s a journey that naturally merges passion for sport with the desire for deeper discovery.”
