Published on January 7, 2026
In 2026, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, and other U.S. cities are set to boost tourism with record hotel occupancy growth in Q2, driven by major events, cultural attractions, and rising domestic travel. As the second quarter of the year unfolds, these cities will benefit from an influx of visitors attending high-profile events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LX, and the MLB All-Star Game, alongside year-long cultural celebrations. Additionally, a rebound in business and leisure travel, combined with growing interest in domestic European-style destinations, will fuel demand for accommodations across these vibrant urban hubs. With attractions ranging from iconic festivals and sporting spectacles to world-class dining and historical landmarks, these cities are positioning themselves as top destinations for travelers, ensuring a bustling tourism season and a significant boost to the U.S. hotel industry in 2026.

2025 Hotel Industry Performance: Stabilization Amid Challenges

In 2025, the US hotel industry experienced a year of stabilization following a period of volatility. According to hospitality analytics firms like STR (CoStar) and PwC, the occupancy rate held steady at approximately 62.3%, indicating a balance between demand and supply. However, the softer corporate travel environment and the increase in hotel supply limited any significant growth. The average daily rate (ADR) saw a slight increase of around 1.0% to 3.0%, reflecting some pricing power, though revenue per available room (RevPAR) faced a slight decline, with a reduction of 0.2% to 0.4%. These results point to a period of “normalization” where the industry adjusted to a new economic climate.

2026 Hotel Industry Outlook: Modest Growth and Continued Stabilization

Looking ahead to 2026, the US hotel industry is expected to continue its stabilization, with occupancy forecasted to remain in the range of 62.0% to 62.3%. The market will see a modest increase in average daily rates, with ADR growth projected between 1.0% and 3.0%. Additionally, RevPAR is expected to show some recovery, with a projected growth of 0.5% to 0.9%. Despite these improvements, the hotel sector will continue to be affected by factors like increased supply and a restrained corporate travel environment. As a result, 2026 is anticipated to be a year of gradual recovery, with steady growth rather than a sharp rebound.

Los Angeles: Star Power and Sports Mania

Event	Date
U.S. Women’s Open (Golf)	June 4–7
USMNT Opening Match	June 12
USA vs. Paraguay (Group Stage)	June 12
Belgium vs. Iran (Group Stage)	June 21

Los Angeles will be buzzing with excitement in 2026 thanks to an impressive lineup of events. The U.S. Women’s Open Golf Tournament and the USMNT Opening Match will draw a diverse crowd, while World Cup matches such as USA vs. Paraguay and Belgium vs. Iran will bring in a global sports audience. Los Angeles’ status as a cultural and entertainment mecca means visitors will not only come for the sports but for the many attractions the city has to offer, making it a prime destination for hotel stays in 2026.

San Francisco/Bay: Super Bowl and 250th Anniversary Celebrations

Event	Date
Super Bowl LX	February 8
SF 250th Anniversary Festivals	Year-long (2026)
Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group Stage)	June 13
Austria vs. Jordan (Group Stage)	June 16

San Francisco’s hotel occupancy is set to soar in 2026, driven by the spectacle of Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium and the year-long celebrations for the city’s 250th anniversary. These events, coupled with World Cup group-stage matches such as Qatar vs. Switzerland and Austria vs. Jordan, will bring a flood of visitors to the Bay Area. San Francisco’s iconic blend of history, culture, and modernity will keep hotels bustling throughout the year, making it a hot spot for travelers.

Miami: The Ultimate Hotspot for Sports and Racing

Event	Date
World Baseball Classic	March (Select Games)
Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami GP	May 2026
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (Group Stage)	June 15
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (Group Stage)	June 21

Miami will make waves in 2026, with both the World Baseball Classic and the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix drawing huge crowds of sports enthusiasts. In addition, the city will host exciting World Cup group-stage matches, such as Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay and Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, making Miami a premier destination for global travelers. The city’s thriving nightlife, beautiful beaches, and world-class dining options ensure that visitors will have plenty to do during their stay, leading to high hotel demand throughout the year.

Philadelphia: History, Sports, and Celebrations

Event	Date
MLB All-Star Game	July (Exact Date TBD)
July 4th Spectacle	July 4
Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (Group Stage)	June 14
Brazil vs. Haiti (Group Stage)	June 19

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Philadelphia is poised for a historic and bustling 2026 with its lineup of events. The MLB All-Star Game in July and the July 4th Spectacle, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, will attract massive crowds to the city. Additionally, the city will host exciting World Cup matches like Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador and Brazil vs. Haiti. These events will provide ample opportunities for visitors to experience the rich history and culture of Philadelphia while boosting hotel occupancy across the region.

Boston: A Marathon Year for Hospitality

Event	Date
Boston Marathon	April 20, 2026
Sail Boston (Sail250)	June (Exact Date TBD)
Haiti vs. Scotland (Group Stage)	June 13
Playoff Winner vs. Norway (Group Stage)	June 16

Boston is gearing up for a spectacular 2026, with the Boston Marathon drawing thousands of visitors and athletes to the city in April. In addition to this, Sail Boston, as part of the Sail250 maritime celebration, will bring in tourists eager to experience the festivities. The city’s World Cup group-stage matches, such as Haiti vs. Scotland and Playoff Winner vs. Norway, will add further energy and demand to the local hospitality market, ensuring that Boston remains a top travel destination throughout the year.

New York / NJ: A Sports and Spectacle Hub

Event	Date
U.S. Open (Golf)	June 18–21
World Cup Final	July 19
Brazil vs. Morocco (Group Stage)	June 13
France vs. Senegal (Group Stage)	June 16
Norway vs. Senegal (Group Stage)	June 22

New York and New Jersey are set to shine in 2026 with a powerhouse combination of sports and entertainment events. The U.S. Open Golf Tournament will attract global golf fans in June, while the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in July will be a monumental event, drawing thousands of international sports enthusiasts. Group stage matches, including high-stakes games like Brazil vs. Morocco and France vs. Senegal, will further boost hotel occupancy across the region. With the influx of tourists, this vibrant area will undoubtedly benefit from increased demand for accommodations.

Houston: A Rodeo and World Cup Frenzy

Event	Date
Chevron Championship (Golf)	April (Exact Date TBD)
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo	March 2026
Germany vs. Curaçao (Group Stage)	June 14
Portugal vs. Playoff Winner (Group Stage)	June 17

Houston is primed for a busy year with high-profile events, including the Chevron Championship (Golf) and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in March, which will draw both locals and tourists. The World Cup will further boost hotel occupancy with exciting group-stage matches like Germany vs. Curaçao and Portugal vs. Playoff Winner. With these diverse events, Houston will see a significant influx of visitors, ensuring a strong year for hotel bookings and overall tourism.

Atlanta: Festivals and World Cup Fever

Event	Date
Dogwood Festival	April (Exact Date TBD)
World Cup Semifinal	July 15
Spain vs. Cape Verde (Group Stage)	June 15
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Group Stage)	June 21

Atlanta is set to shine in 2026 with its vibrant festivals and high-profile sports events. The Dogwood Festival in April will bring in art and music lovers, while the World Cup Semifinal on July 15 will attract thousands of international soccer fans. The city’s World Cup group-stage matches, such as Spain vs. Cape Verde and Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, will continue to draw global visitors, making Atlanta a key city for boosting hotel occupancy in 2026.

Dallas: A Festival of Sports and Culture

Event	Date
State Fair of Texas	Spring 2026
World Cup Semifinal	July 2026
Netherlands vs. Japan (Group Stage)	June 14
England vs. Croatia (Group Stage)	June 17

Dallas is gearing up for an exciting year in 2026, with the State Fair of Texas bringing locals and visitors together for a season of fun and festivals. The city will also host World Cup Semifinal matches at AT&T Stadium, drawing sports fans from around the world. With key group-stage World Cup matches, such as Netherlands vs. Japan and England vs. Croatia, Dallas will experience an influx of international visitors, creating a boom for local hotels and ensuring a bustling hospitality market throughout the year.

Seattle: Celebrating Culture and the World Cup

Event	Date
Northwest Folklife Festival	May (Memorial Day Weekend)
Seafair Summer Festival	June/July
Belgium vs. Egypt (Group Stage)	June 15
USA vs. Australia (Group Stage)	June 19

Seattle will be a hub of activity in 2026, with cultural events like the Northwest Folklife Festival and the Seafair Summer Festival drawing large crowds. The city will also host World Cup matches, including Belgium vs. Egypt and USA vs. Australia, which will bring sports fans from around the world. These events, combined with Seattle’s reputation for unique cultural experiences, will create a surge in hotel occupancy, making it one of the top destinations for travelers in 2026.

Kansas City: History, Jazz, and World Cup Action

Event	Date
National WWI Museum Events	Year-long (2026)
Jazz & BBQ Festivals	June/July
Argentina vs. Algeria (Group Stage)	June 16
Ecuador vs. Curaçao (Group Stage)	June 20

Kansas City will experience an exciting year in 2026, with a blend of historical, cultural, and sporting events. The National WWI Museum will serve as a key site for America250 ceremonies, and the Jazz & BBQ Festivals in June and July will attract visitors from across the country. World Cup group-stage matches, such as Argentina vs. Algeria and Ecuador vs. Curaçao, will further boost the city’s appeal, leading to higher hotel occupancy rates during these major events. With its rich cultural offerings and sporting highlights, Kansas City will be a thriving destination for travelers.

Occupancy Normalization and Market Adjustments

In 2025, the US hotel industry faced significant challenges as occupancy levels saw a continued decline for nine consecutive months, ending November at 57.9%. This trend is largely attributed to the rapid increase in hotel room supply, which outpaced the growth in demand. However, looking ahead to 2026, occupancy is expected to remain relatively flat as the industry stabilizes. The softer demand environment is expected to continue as the market adjusts to the oversupply of hotel rooms, with minimal growth in occupancy anticipated. Additionally, stricter regulations on short-term rentals, such as New York City’s Local Law 18, have begun to reduce competition in major markets, helping to stabilize occupancy levels in some cities.

Business Travel and the “New Normal”

Corporate travel, particularly among individual business travelers, has been slower to recover compared to leisure travel. Companies continue to be cautious with their travel budgets amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties. While corporate transient demand remains subdued, group and convention bookings have shown more resilience, signaling that business travel may recover more slowly but steadily. As the market navigates these dynamics, revenue managers are increasingly relying on AI-driven dynamic pricing to maintain margins, as average daily rate (ADR) growth struggles to keep up with inflation.

Luxury vs. Economy: A Market Split

The hotel market in 2025 also saw a noticeable “bifurcation” between the luxury and economy segments. High-income travelers have driven continued strong performance in the luxury and upper upscale hotel segments, which continue to outperform despite broader market challenges. In contrast, the economy hotel segment has faced more significant challenges, particularly in terms of revenue per available room (RevPAR). Inflation has heavily impacted lower-income households, leading to declines in demand in the economy sector. This divergence highlights the growing disparity in hotel performance based on traveler income levels and market segments.

Market Performance and Key Drivers

Notable market trends emerged in late 2025. New York City remained the strongest market, often maintaining occupancy levels between 86% and 89%, demonstrating its continued appeal as a top destination. On the other hand, markets like Tampa and Houston experienced volatility due to the effects of the 2024 hurricane season, as “displacement demand” led to fluctuations in occupancy due to people seeking temporary housing. Despite these challenges, leisure travel remained a key driver of hotel demand, as evidenced by Thanksgiving 2025, which saw the third-highest room demand in the last 26 years.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Optimism for the Second Half

The outlook for 2026 shows signs of recovery, with expectations for growth to be “back-loaded” in the second half of the year. Stronger performance is projected as international visitation picks up, particularly with major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing global attention. As the industry adjusts to the evolving landscape, revenue managers will continue to leverage AI-powered tools to navigate inflationary pressures and optimize pricing strategies. While 2026 is expected to bring a gradual recovery, the industry is likely to experience a stronger rebound in the latter part of the year as both leisure and business travel contribute to growth.
In 2026, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, and other U.S. cities are set to boost tourism with record hotel occupancy growth in Q2, driven by major events, cultural attractions, and rising domestic travel.

Conclusion

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, and other U.S. cities are poised to experience significant growth in hotel occupancy during the second quarter of 2026. This record growth in U.S. tourism will be fueled by a combination of high-profile events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cultural festivals, and major city celebrations, which will draw both international and domestic travelers. As these cities continue to recover and adapt to new travel trends, their unique offerings and attractions will make them top destinations for visitors, further driving the demand for accommodations and solidifying their role in boosting the U.S. tourism industry in the coming year.

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Tags: 2026 events, hotel occupancy, travel trends, US Tourism

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