In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will be kicking off in 16 cities spread across three countries: USA, Canada and Mexico. Of these, seven cities across the Southern States and Mexico have scored hosting privileges: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami in USA; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest tournament yet with 48 nations competing. This will bring an unprecedented number of fans from across the globe to the USA, Mexico and Canada. Early estimates predict that this will bring a short term economic impact of $5 billion to the USA alone. This equates to 40,000 jobs created and over $1 million worker earnings. Furthermore, individual host cities are expected to see $160 – $620 million in incremental activity.
These high potential earnings create a unique opportunity for the hotel and resort industry to enter these locations and reap the benefits from the World Cup, and the years following, introducing amenities for both tourists and residents. In this article, we will dive into the hotels and resorts being developed across the Southern States and LATAM in anticipation for the upcoming 2026 world cup competition.
Luxurious lodgings
In 2024, USA is set to open a record-breaking 677 new hotels with 79,518 rooms. Boutique hotels are the trend for World Cup hosting cities within the USA, with a particular emphasis on luxury and wellness. This is driven by changing guest expectations and travel trends gearing towards an increased focus on wellness.
Dallas
As the home of two hosting cities, Dallas and Houston, Texas has amped up its hotel development with over 11,000 keys in the pipeline for 2024. Dallas takes the national lead with a record-breaking 193 hotels with 22,291 keys in development. Eighteen hotels and 2,333 rooms are planned for 2024 alone! Many of these hotels are located within the city’s art district, with this reflected in their interiors. The 267-room JW Marriott Dallas Arts District’s Vincent’s Sky Lounge pays homage to Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. Here, guests can enjoy cocktails with panoramic views of the Dallas night sky.
Other boutique hotels in the pipeline include the luxurious 134 room Hôtel Swexan, 224 key HALL Park, and The Knox, offering 105 hotel rooms and suites. These glamorous destinations boast opulent interiors and amenities including rooftop pools, swanky lounges, ballrooms, fitness centers, spas, and even a library!
Atlanta
Second to Dallas, Atlanta has 145 projects and 18,100 keys in the pipeline. In 2024, 15 hotels and 2,808 keys will be opening. These include Signia by Hilton, Atlanta’s largest downtown ground-up development project in 40 years, offering a staggering 976 rooms in the tallest building on the Westside. Signia will boast eight signature food and beverage experiences and a spa and fitness centre. Another large development project is Anthem, a 292-key boutique hotel being built opposite the Mercedes-Benz stadium. The 18-story hotel will debut a rooftop restaurant and bar with sweeping views.
Houston
Houston is another host city boasting plenty of pre-world cup hotel and resort development. Significant new openings leading up to kick off include the 71-key Hotel Saint Augustine, The Birdsall featuring 105 rooms, and Hotel Daphne offering 47 rooms & suites. Two of these, Hotel Saint Augustine and Hotel Daphne, are owned by Bunkhouse Hotels. Their designs will take inspiration from their neighbourhoods and blend in local features, such as Hotel Saint Augustine’s gardens and outdoor spaces, which will pay homage to the mature trees on the site.
Miami
Leading up to the tournament, Miami will welcome the 56-suite Aman Miami Beach, Dream Miami offering 165 keys, Virgin Hotels Miami with 250 rooms, the 100-key Bulgari Hotel Miami Beach, and more. With a combination of guest rooms and residential suites, these hotels will entertain guests and residents alike with amenities galore. Vibrant venues on the horizon include restaurants, nightclubs, rooftop pools, outdoor cinemas, live music venues, communal workspaces, and spas!
These new developments and refurbishments will also debut opulent designs and experiences with a focus on wellness. Legacy Hotel & Residences in Miami will debut world’s first Blue Zones Center—a 170,000 square-foot medical and wellness centre offering everything from surgeries to health therapies and spa treatments.
Celebrating culture
As Mexico gears up for the 2026 World Cup, there are several major developments in the works for the country’s three host cities. The country has 128 new hotels underway, collectively representing 25,742 rooms. Construction has already peaked as 2023 boasted 48 hotel openings, growing on 2022’s 38 openings. A further 16 hotels are reported to open in 2024, while nine are scheduled for 2025. Another 17 are yet to be scheduled. The priority for these developments is to pay homage to Mexico’s rich culture and history in their design, with a particular emphasis on food, the country’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, these destinations cater to the working traveller, with various developments including meeting rooms and in-room working facilities.
Mexico City
As a host city, Mexico City is a popular destination. There are 13 new properties in the pipeline, compromising 2,048 rooms. Major developments include Hyatt Regency Insurgentes Mexico City, adding 250 keys to the city, the luxury 213-room Andaz Condesa Mexico City, and Hyde Mexico City Del Valle, offering 200 rooms. Ignacia Guest House and JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City have both recently unveiled renovations that added additional keys, allowing them to welcome more guests both during and after the World Cup.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara will welcome at least five new hotels, delivering 708 rooms in the lead up to the World Cup. Among these are 118-key Candlewood Suites’ Guadalajara Galerías, Guadalajara Av. Vallarta Poniente offering 124 rooms, and ME Guadalajara. The upcoming World Cup tournament has created an opportunity for many industry giants to debut into this host city. Brand newcomers include Melia Hotels International and IHG Hotels & Resorts. As Mexico’s financial and business hub, many of these hotel’s interiors prioritise the working traveller, offering in-room working spaces and flexible meeting spaces.
Monterrey
Monterrey’s four newbuilds will add 670 keys to its offerings. Similar to Gadalaraja, the 2026 World Cup has encouraged many hotel brands to expand into Monterrey. In 2023, Tru by Hilton debuted in Mexico with the 120-room Tru by Hilton Monterrey Fundidora. Thomson Hotels will also grow its presence in Mexico with the 150-room luxury Thompson Monterrey, debuting in 2025. These hotel’s interiors will boost connectivity through energizing social hubs including rooftop bars, multipurpose lobbies, and restaurants serving authentic local cuisine.
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Check out the Hotel & Resort Design South blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. Hotel and Resort Design South is a hotel product-sourcing and networking platform for those involved in the design of hotels and resorts in the South and LATAM regions. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
