US tourism is in trouble, with the continuing war with Iran leaving the landscape for travel unclear.
In fact, according to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the US was projected to lose an astonishing £9,350,000,000 in international visitor spending in 2025.
But one cut price carrier is banking on interest booming later this year when the World Cup commences.
Wizz Air has officially received the necessary permits to operate flights between the UK and the US, marking a significant expansion of the budget airline’s international operations.
Announcing their intentions to ‘deliver exceptional charter experiences and bring fans closer to the action in the United States,’ the airline is now preparing to accommodate Brits wanting to cross the pond to attend the tournament.
And with 18% of total international bookings into the US, Mexico and Canada during the World Cup dates coming from the UK, this could be an opportunity for Wizz Air to establish its dominance in the market.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is taking place between June 11 and July 19, will be played in 11 host cities in the US, two in Canada and three in Mexico, making it the organisation’s first tri-nation competition.
In the US, the host cities are: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/ New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area.
Wizz Air has shared that it will be positioning itself as a ‘flexible’ and ‘reliable’ partner for ‘teams, fan organizations, tour operators, and private groups’.
Are you planning on travelling to the US for the World Cup?
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Yvonne Moynihan, managing director of Wizz Air UK, told media outlets: ‘This is a proud and exciting day for everyone at our airline.
‘Receiving approval to operate between the UK and the United States is a huge milestone for our company. It opens the door to incredible opportunities, particularly for European football teams and supporters travelling across the Atlantic this summer’.
US tourism and travel industry facing losses
2026 should, in theory, be a monumental year for the US tourism industry.
On July 4, the country will celebrate 250 years of independence – commemorated with parties, fireworks, and far too much alcohol across all 50 states.
It also happens to be the 100th anniversary of one of the most iconic roads in the world: Route 66. The Route 66 Centennial Journey involves themed activities and events planned at checkpoints along the 2,400 mile stretch.
Oh, and let’s not forget the impact Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance had on us all. Some tourists might linger in Los Angeles or New York just on the off-chance they might see the singer on a stroll.
All this, alongside the World Cup, would surely mean visitors will be flocking to the US in spades? However, that might not end up being the case.
The World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics released a report last year which revealed that the US, home to the largest travel and tourism sector in the world, was the only country among 184 economies analysed that was forecast to see international visitor spending decline in 2025.
Notably, the report also found that international visitor spending to the US was projected to fall to just under $169 billion in 2025, down from $181 billion in 2024.
A number of sources have suggested that most of this decline can be attributed to the politics and policies of US President Donald Trump.
A combination of mass deportations, detaining foreign nationals, regular threats, and general hostility, has prompted a number of tourists to minimise travel to the US, with some going as far as to boycott the country entirely.
Either out of fear or out of protest, both residents and tourists are pushing a strong narrative online that the US is not a desirable travel destination right now.
How much does it cost to go to the World Cup?
Despite this decline in tourism, there is still strong data to suggest that thousands of Brits are intending to make the journey across the Atlantic to visit the US for the FIFA World Cup.
And if you’ve yet to confirm your travel plans, here is some information you might find helpful.
It’s usually best to book long-haul flights about six months in advance as transatlantic flights tend to be incredibly expensive.
OAG, a global provider of digital flight information, analysed fares currently being charged for June and July 2026 and compared them with the same months last summer.
And, interestingly enough, fares from Europe to eight of the 11 host cities for travel in June and July have fallen compared with 2025.
That being said, seeing England play in the tournament will still set you back quite dearly.
The first England game in the World Cup will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on June 17. Flying from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, a direct roundtrip currently costs £1,090 and takes an average of 12 hours.
If you’re okay with adding a connection, this can often reduce the price of your ticket by upwards of £100. Layover in Iceland anyone?
Once you make it to the States, the price of hotel rooms and Airbnbs during the World Cup period will vary drastically. Budget hotels in Dallas typically start at $200 per night but these prices will surge ahead of the tournament.
It’s best to try and stay at least 25-30 minutes away from the stadium to minimise costs. For example, in South Arlington.
All in all, a trip to the FIFA World Cup this year will be a big expense. But for some fans, it’s worth it.