Australia
June 11, 2026, Sydney – Aussies fans are repping the green and gold abroad with new Expedia data revealing a surge for North American host cities for the major international soccer tournament kicking off today.
Vancouver leads as the most popular destination for Aussies, hosting the national team’s opening match, while interest surges across US host cities including Dallas (+385%), and Seattle (+305%).
“Aussies soccer fans aren’t sitting on the sidelines for this global sporting moment.” said Darren Karshagen, Senior Director at Expedia Group. “And they’re not just flying in and out for the matches – they’re turning it into a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, with nearby destinations to host cities like Nashville (+100%) and Montreal (+30%) seeing increased interest during and post the tournament. 4”
Most popular and trending host cities with Aussie travellers
| Most Popular Host Cities for Aussies2 Highest Volume of Searches | Host Cities Trending Upwards with Aussies3 Biggest YoY Search Increases |
| 1. Vancouver 2. New York 3. Los Angeles 4. Seattle 5. San Francisco 6. Boston 7. Toronto 8. Miami 9. Dallas 10. Mexico City | 1. Dallas +385% 2. Seattle +305% 3. Vancouver +185% 4. Mexico City +180% 5. Boston +175% 6. Houston +140% 7. San Francisco +130% 8. Miami +120% 9. Toronto +100% 10. Los Angeles +25% |
Sport Tourism Scores with Aussie Travellers 1
- Aussies are planning sports‑focused trips: Sports tourism is top of mind, with 82% of Aussies planning a sports-focused trip in the next year – and half intending to take more than one. Soccer ranks as the top sport Australians are willing to travel for (24%).
- Aussies are turning sports trips into broader holidays: The trips are evolving into broader travel experiences, with three in five Aussie travellers extending their journey beyond the match.
- Longer stays, higher spend from Aussie sports fans: On average, sports trips now span more than four days, with travellers spending over $2,600 on flights and accommodation, plus an additional $650 on dining, shopping and sightseeing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Which host cities are Aussies most interested in for the major socccer tournament?
- Vancouver is currently the most popular North American host city for Aussie travellers, with strong interest also going to major hubs such as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, Altanta, Dallas and Mexico City.
- Are Aussies travelling specifically for the tournament, or for sports trips more broadly?
- Sports tourism is a broader trend, with 82% of Aussies planning a sports-focused trip in the next year and soccer ranking as the top sport they are willing to travel for (24%), with the upcoming North American tournament acting as a key travel driver.
- How long are Aussies staying when they travel for sport?
- On average, Aussie sports trips now last more than four days, giving travellers time to see matches as well as explore the host city and nearby destinations.
- How much are Aussie sports fans spending on tournament trips?
- Expedia data shows travellers are spending over $2,600 on flights and accommodation, plus around $650 on dining, shopping and sightseeing during their sports-focused holidays.
- Are Aussies visiting more than one city when they travel for tournaments?
- Yes. Three in five Aussie sports travellers are extending their trip beyond the host city, using multi-stop itineraries to combine matches with broader North American exploration.
1 The research was conducted by Censuswide and included a sample of 2,000 respondents who have traveled for a sporting event in the past 12 months across Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the US and the UK. The data was collected between February 4, 2025, and February 7, 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
2 Based on accommodation demand made on Expedia.com.au from 5 December 2025 – 18 May 2026 for stays during the group stages between 11 – 27 June 2025.
3 Based on accommodation searches made on Expedia.com.au from 5 December 2025 – 18 May 2026 for stays during the group stages between 11 – 27 June 2025.
4 Based on accommodation searches made on Expedia.com.au from 5 December 2025 – 18 May 2026 for travel between 29 June – 31 July 2026, compared to the same period the year before.
