QUINTANA ROO, Mexico — The Cancún International Airport is the only terminal in Mexico with direct flights to all 16 host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, positioning Quintana Roo strategically to attract and retain visitors.
Unique Connectivity from the Mexican Caribbean
Andrés Martínez Reynoso, director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), stated that Cancún is currently "the strongest international airport in the country," with direct routes to Europe and South America during the summer season, which facilitates mobility to all World Cup cities.
A Three-Phase Tourism Strategy
The planning outlines three key moments to capitalize on the arrival of tourists:
- Before the tournament: fans who will combine beach and soccer.
- During the elimination phase: visitors who extend their stay after their national teams are eliminated.
- Transit tourists: those who are following their team in U.S. cities but choose Cancún as a base due to more affordable costs for lodging and food.
Official FIFA Fan Fest in Cancún
The CPTQ is pushing for Cancún to host an official FIFA Fan Fest, a soccer-themed space designed to attract and retain visitors. It also seeks to establish the destination as a base camp for national teams, leveraging the existing hotel and sports infrastructure.
"FIFA is already evaluating fields and technical guidelines, which opens the possibility of receiving entire teams in the state," explained Martínez Reynoso.
Cancún's Aerial Advantage Over Other Destinations
The director of the CPTQ emphasized that Cancún's air connectivity is an added value, as national teams often travel on charter flights. This is expected to increase operations and flight frequencies during the tournament, positioning the Mexican Caribbean as a key logistical point.
Quintana Roo, Host of World Cup Experiences
Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the state secretary of Tourism, confirmed that Quintana Roo will host an official Fan Fest. Meetings are ongoing with consulates from key markets like the United Kingdom to attract more European tourism.
The plan includes festivals, fan zones, and cultural activities in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal, with the objective of diversifying the benefits of the tourist flow.
Mexico, Canada, and the United States: Host Cities
The 2026 World Cup will be played in 16 official host cities:
- Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
- United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York / New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
Beyond the Beach: Quintana Roo as a Protagonist
The national strategy includes tourist routes, representations of the ancient ball game in archaeological zones, and even a national soccer championship in designated "Pueblos Mágicos" (Magical Towns). Through these actions, Quintana Roo aims to consolidate itself as more than just a beach destination, actively integrating itself into the world's most-watched sporting event.
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