World Cup Delivers $3.73 Billion Boost to Mexico’s Economy
The 2026 FIFA World Cup produced an estimated $3.73 billion in economic activity in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, according to a report released by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism.
The tournament attracted approximately 7.8 million domestic and international travelers to the three host cities between June 8 and July 19. Their spending benefited hotels, restaurants, airports and other tourism-related businesses.
Tourism accounted for an estimated $2.43 billion of the overall economic impact. The event also supported 130,900 jobs, including 100,000 in Mexico City, 15,800 in Monterrey and 15,100 in Guadalajara.
Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora said the competition gave millions of visitors an opportunity to experience Mexico’s food, traditions, landscapes and hospitality.
Hospitality Industry Sees Higher Demand
Average hotel occupancy in the host cities reached 66 percent during the five weeks of competition, an increase of 13 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
Demand was particularly strong on matchdays, when occupancy levels ranged from 85 to 90 percent. Hotels reported an average room-rate increase of 51.5 percent, while food and beverage businesses registered sales growth of between 50 and 80 percent.
Average spending per customer at restaurants and similar establishments also rose by 60 percent during the tournament.
Mexico City Leads Visitor Numbers
Mexico City received 4.4 million travelers, more than any other Mexican host city. The total included 1.9 million overnight tourists and 2.5 million same-day visitors.
Tourism activity generated approximately $1.49 billion for the capital, representing a 41 percent increase compared with the same dates in 2025. Among overnight visitors, 68 percent stayed in hotels and 32 percent used digital accommodation platforms.
Guadalajara welcomed about 2.3 million travelers and recorded an estimated economic impact of $656 million. The city received 918,000 overnight tourists and 1.4 million same-day visitors.
Monterrey reported 1.1 million travelers, including 490,000 tourists and 610,000 same-day visitors. Economic activity in the city reached approximately $287 million, 21 percent more than during the comparable period in 2025.
Airports Handle 6.4 Million Passengers
Airports serving the host cities handled approximately 6.4 million passengers during the World Cup. Domestic flights accounted for 4.2 million passengers, while international routes transported 2.2 million.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport registered the strongest growth in international passenger traffic, with an 18 percent year-over-year increase. Guadalajara recorded an 11.5 percent rise, followed by Monterrey at 10.3 percent and Mexico City International Airport at 1.5 percent.
Fan Festivals Draw Millions
Official FIFA Fan Festivals held in the three cities attracted more than 6.7 million visits. Mexico City and Monterrey each reported 2.5 million, while Guadalajara registered 1.72 million.
The Ministry of Tourism credited the results to coordination among government authorities, business organizations, tourism companies and industry workers.
Following the tournament, officials launched the campaign “They Came for the World Cup, They’ll Return for Mexico” to encourage international and domestic travelers to discover destinations beyond the host cities.
Although the competition has ended, tourism authorities expect its economic and promotional benefits to continue for years.
All dollar amounts were converted using the July 22, 2026 exchange rate of approximately 17.4055 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar and were rounded for clarity.
