Latino Families Expected To Shape 2026 World Cup Travel Trends

Latino travelers in the United States could become one of the most influential tourism forces around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with family trips, larger groups and neighborhood-level spending expected to shape the tournament far beyond stadium gates, according to a new report commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by Blue Point Analytix.

The study, based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,045 Latino adults in the U.S., found that 68% of Latino adults are interested in the 2026 World Cup, while 41% said the tournament would lead them to take a trip they otherwise would not have taken. The survey was conducted in English and Spanish from April 2 to April 11, 2026.

The findings point to a major opportunity for host cities, travel platforms like Airbnb, restaurants, local shops and short-term rental hosts as soccer fans prepare for the first World Cup hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

For many Latino households, the World Cup is not just a sports event. It is also a family gathering, a cultural reunion, and, for many first- and second-generation Latinos, a chance to reconnect with national identity through the teams they follow.

The report found that 38% of Latino adults expect to travel in larger groups than usual because of the tournament, while 43% expect to travel in groups of four or more and 22% expect to travel in groups of six or more. That matters for the hospitality industry because Latino World Cup travel is expected to be shaped less by solo visitors and more by families, extended relatives, and mixed groups of family and friends.

Accommodation preferences reflect that shift. According to the study, 64% of Latino travelers said it is very important that everyone in their group be able to stay together in the same place. Another 61% said short-term rentals better fit their needs when traveling with family or large groups, while 58% cited the ability to stay together as a reason they might prefer a short-term rental over a hotel.

The report also found that group travel is already a strong pattern among Latinos. About 56% said they traveled with extended family on their most recent leisure trip, compared with 15% who traveled mainly alone or as a couple. First-generation Latinos, people of Mexican and Central American origin, and respondents in Texas and California reported some of the highest rates of travel with extended family.

Miami, Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey, Dallas and Houston could be especially well positioned to benefit. The cities Latino respondents were most likely to consider visiting were Miami at 36%, Los Angeles at 34%, New York and New Jersey at 32%, Dallas at 24%, Atlanta at 23% and Houston at 21%.

Miami stands out in the report because it is scheduled to host group-stage matches involving Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Portugal. The report notes that games involving national teams with strong ties to Latino communities could turn host cities into culturally specific travel destinations, particularly for Colombian, South American and broader Latin American audiences.

The economic impact could also spread beyond official venues. The study found that 67% of Latino travelers said visiting local restaurants, cafes or shops near where they stay is very important. Another 52% said host recommendations had led them to visit a local business they otherwise would not have visited, while 48% said they frequently seek local or non-touristy areas when traveling.

Expected spending categories include restaurants and food, cited by 82% of those who would attend or travel for the World Cup, followed by transportation at 67%, lodging at 58%, entertainment at 54%, retail at 49%, local shops and markets at 46%, and cultural events or attractions at 38%.

The study does not estimate the total dollar impact of Latino World Cup travel. Instead, it measures intentions and expected behavior before the tournament. Still, the report suggests that Latino travelers could help spread World Cup spending into neighborhoods, family-owned businesses, cultural corridors and local markets, especially in cities with large Latino populations and strong diaspora ties.

For Airbnb and the broader travel industry, the message is clear: Latino World Cup travel will likely be built around togetherness, flexibility and local discovery. The tournament will bring fans to stadiums, but for many Latino families, the real travel story may happen around the match, in shared homes, crowded kitchens, neighborhood restaurants and streets filled with the sound of soccer in two languages.