Hopes of World Cup tourist boom feeling shaky in Seattle

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup arriving in a month, Seattle’s tourism industry is bracing for a smaller-than-expected economic boost. Nearly 80% of local hotels report bookings below expectations, far short of the initial forecast. The city will host six matches and expects $845 million in economic impact—91% of December’s projections—but far below the 50% revenue growth typical for Super Bowl host cities.