NetJets says FIFA World Cup host city bookings up 68%

FIFA World Cup 2026 is giving NetJets a kick in demand.

Current booking activity to and from all U.S. host cities is up 68% year over year.

A spokesperson described the spike as “meaningful early interest.”

The highest increase in early bookings so far is to Dallas.

Demand to Dallas is nearly three times the normal level.

Bookings to Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Boston are more than double compared to the same period last year.

Atlanta and Boston are also seeing increases year-over-year.

The top venue so far is New York, where games will be played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

While New York is “out-booking” other U.S. host cities, on a percentage basis, it is lower than some of the other venues.

Matches in the group stage of the competition associated with groups I and L are outbooking all other groups to date, per NetJets.

These groups will play in Arlington, Foxborough, East Rutherford, Philadelphia, and Toronto.

According to the world’s largest private jet operator, Group L’s strength appears driven by the inclusion of England alongside Croatia, as well as Ghana, which is historically one of Africa’s strongest programs.

France leads group I interest.

NetJets’ bookings are tracking ahead of the overall market.

The RateGain World Cup Travel Index shows a -0.7% year-over-year drop
in flight bookings to host destinations versus the same period last year.

Dallas, ranked only behind Houston, is seeing a slim 9.4% increase.

Earlier this year, NetJets welcomed Lionel Messi as an ambassador.

FIFA estimates the World Cup will bring $17.2 billion in economic benefits to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.