Cancun Real Estate Sales Fell 30% During World Cup, Industry Leader Says

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The World Cup in June put a brake on Cancún’s real estate market, with sales and property placements dropping 30% as potential buyers tuned into the tournament instead, industry leaders said.

The slowdown hit a sector that had been steadily growing, according to Dafnee Fuentes, president of the local real estate association. While the month-long competition distracted clients and stalled transactions, Fuentes stressed that the overall picture for 2026 remains positive and better than last year.

“Investment has stayed active, and Cancún continues to be a strong magnet for capital,” she said. “Compared with last year, it’s been a good year — more movement in investment.”

Fuentes contrasted Cancún with Tulum, where a severe housing crisis has taken hold. Cancún, she said, is a more established city with a major airport, while Tulum can rely on its natural attractions to recover.

“Tulum is an important destination for the whole state, and it will soon regain its investment and growth rhythm,” she said.

In Cancún, new high-value developments continue to move forward, along with affordable housing programs that also help drive the economy, she added.

“Anything that happens internationally hits our destinations,” Fuentes said, referring to the World Cup effect. “People focused on the tournament, and it slowed our pace by 30%. But by the end of the year or early 2027, we expect strong movement again — possibly even surpassing this year’s results.”