Online-travel giant Expedia says Australian interest in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has exploded, with platform searches for host U.S. cities such as Philadelphia, Atlanta and Seattle up 160 % year-on-year. Expedia’s Australian general manager Tracey Webber told The Australian that 82 % of locals planning an overseas trip this year intend to build it around a sporting event, with football topping the list.
Qantas is capitalising on the trend, scheduling five charter flights to Las Vegas for National Rugby League (NRL) season-openers in March and working with tour operators on supporter packages to U.S. venues. Corporate travel buyers say the surge is already tightening business-class inventory for June-July, traditionally a peak period for executive travel to North America.
![FIFA World Cup fever drives 160 % jump in Australian searches for US host cities]()
A stronger Australian dollar (US $0.73) and expanded air capacity after the reopening of Brisbane–Los Angeles and Melbourne–Dallas routes have further buoyed demand. Travel-management companies advise firms to lock in fully flexible fares early and review travel-policy caps, as average return economy fares to U.S. east-coast cities have risen 14 % since January.
Beyond the U.S., Expedia notes spikes in Australian bookings to Vancouver, Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, destinations benefiting from new non-stops and promotional fares.
Qantas is capitalising on the trend, scheduling five charter flights to Las Vegas for National Rugby League (NRL) season-openers in March and working with tour operators on supporter packages to U.S. venues. Corporate travel buyers say the surge is already tightening business-class inventory for June-July, traditionally a peak period for executive travel to North America.
A stronger Australian dollar (US $0.73) and expanded air capacity after the reopening of Brisbane–Los Angeles and Melbourne–Dallas routes have further buoyed demand. Travel-management companies advise firms to lock in fully flexible fares early and review travel-policy caps, as average return economy fares to U.S. east-coast cities have risen 14 % since January.
Beyond the U.S., Expedia notes spikes in Australian bookings to Vancouver, Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, destinations benefiting from new non-stops and promotional fares.
