Houston Hotels Invest and Renovate for World Cup 2026
Skift Take
Houston hotels are investing $100M+ ahead of the World Cup, with bookings up 130% and rates up 300% for June-July. Plus, more hotel deal and development news.
According to Houston First, the city of Houston is gearing up to welcome more than 500,000 visitors for the World Cup games in just four months, with hotels across the city making massive investments to prepare for the international spotlight. $100 million: Downtown Houston+ estimate of total investment in hotel upgrades and expansion. 130%: Increase in hotel bookings for June and July, and 300%: Current increase in hotel rates due to World Cup demand. Major hotel projects underway include: Sam Houston Hotel, the city's oldest operating hotel just completed an 18-month renovation and features a new lobby, revamped bar and upgraded rooms. JW Marriott is expanding into the historic Battlestein's Building and adding 56 new rooms, a new event space, and a rooftop pool bar, which is under construction. Home2Suites and Tru by Hilton Houston Downtown: $37.4 million construction loan in late 2022 and opened in March 2025 with 221 rooms near Toyota Center. The 275-room Holiday
