The 2026 World Cup is still over three years away, yet Monterrey's hospitality sector is already feeling its effects with FIFA blocking 6,000 hotel rooms. This initiative is expected to generate approximately 480 million pesos in sales for the local hotels if confirmed, and the rooms are being set aside for the 40 days of the event. Jesús Nader Marcos, the president of the Mexican Hotels Association of Nuevo León, stated that many of these rooms are already signed with a significant number of local hotels, including international chains like Marriott.

This move underscores the scale of the preparations for the World Cup and reflects the anticipation among local businesses about the potential influx of tourists. Hotels in Monterrey, as well as in Guadalajara and Mexico City, are being asked to secure a specific number of rooms in anticipation of the event. The collaboration between FIFA and various hotel chains highlights the economic opportunities that international sports events can create for host cities, particularly in the hospitality sector.

The blocking of these rooms by FIFA is a strategic measure aimed at ensuring that accommodations are available for fans and teams during the tournament, which will have a significant economic impact on the region. As local businesses prepare for this, it emphasizes the importance of advance planning and collaboration among various stakeholders to maximize the benefits of hosting such a prestigious global event.