Ahead of 2026 World Cup, US Travel Warns: "We're Not Where We Need To Be"
In the next decade, the US will host a slew of mega events: Kicking them off are the 2025 Ryder Cup in September, the FIFA World Cup in June 2026 and the 250th anniversary of America's independence in July 2026. Then come the even bigger ones: the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City. The tournaments taking place over the next four years alone are projected to bring in 40 million visitors and $95 billion in revenue, according to the US Travel Association.
But the US isn't ready for this era of unprecedented demand, according to a 90-page report released by the nonprofit advocacy group on Feb. 19—and it won't get there unless it's prepared to make more than $10 billion in strategic upgrades to its travel infrastructure.
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