Dandapani Cuts New York World Cup Revenue by 60 Percent — Fifa Last Minute Tickets
fifa last minute tickets are meeting a weaker-than-expected travel market as New York’s hotel group cut its World Cup revenue forecast by 60 percent. The Hotel Association of New York City now expects about 500,000 fans, down from an earlier estimate of 1.2 million.
Vijay Dandapani called the shift “overall a disappointment. There’s no other word that I can say,” after the association’s revised outlook. That forecast reset sits alongside sharp price pressure, with the cheapest tickets in host cities like New York and Miami now around $1,000.
Vijay Dandapani Revises New York
The New York forecast changed before the tournament, when the association moved from 1.2 million expected visitors to about 500,000 and cut expected World Cup revenue by 60 percent. Dandapani’s group is the clearest sign that the city’s fan surge has not matched the size of the event.
The New York Hilton Midtown also lowered its December advertised price to about $415, a sign that hotels are adjusting to demand that has not arrived at the level many expected. For visitors trying to book late, that leaves a market where room rates and ticket prices are moving in opposite directions.
CoStar And Cirium Numbers
CoStar said hotel bookings in host cities have risen just 0.5 percent compared with last year. Cirium reported that flights from European countries to U.S. cities hosting games were down 3.8 percent year over year, while flights to New York were down 15.8 percent.
Those numbers line up with the wider travel picture around the tournament. President Donald Trump’s travel ban system restricts access from around 40 countries worldwide, and Africa has a record-breaking 10 teams in this year’s tournament.
Fans Are Skipping The Trip
Andy Milne said, “Some fans are skipping the World Cup altogether.” He added, “Friends of mine are heading to Ibiza to watch every match on TV for a fraction of the price. Others are going to Vegas. It’ll still cost money, but far less than tickets, travel, hotels and transport to the stadiums.”
David, a Brooklyn resident, said, “Seen a lot of Morocco fans, but not much else yet. There’s been almost no buzz or buildup as far as I’ve seen.” For fans still weighing a trip, the practical picture is already clear: New York’s expected crowds are smaller, flights are lighter than last year, and last-minute entry into the market now means paying more for less availability.
