Plus, five other major moments driving big travel interest this year, from major sports matches to an iconic highway’s birthday

From championship games and global music tours to once-in-a-lifetime celestial events, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for event-driven travel. According to Hotels.com® search data, travelers are already planning trips that will put them front and center for some of the biggest moments of the year.

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Americana Motor hotel on Route 66

Whether it’s February's pro football finale or snagging a stay in the path of totality for August’s total solar eclipse, hotel prices tend to rise in the runup to the event, with sharp spikes starting around three weeks out.

“Big events drive intense demand, which means hotel availability shrinks quickly and prices rise fast,” said Melanie Fish, Vice President of Public Relations for Hotels.com. “Timing is key. During the 2024 total solar eclipse, hotel rates spiked a few weeks out when occupancy hit 85-90% in towns in the path of totality. With searches already up triple-digits for this summer’s eclipse, your best bet is to book now with free cancellation — and that strategy applies to other big games and concerts, too.”

Hotels.com data shows that these six events are expected to be among the biggest travel drivers of 2026:

• Pro Football’s Finale: (February 8, 2026): The huge game is one of the most traveled to sporting events each year. This year's game in Santa Clara is already driving a 395% YoY increase in searches and an average room price of $415 a night, double what it was at the same time last year. Historically, travelers book two to three weeks ahead of the game on Hotels.com.
  • Stay at: The Ameswell Hotel, Hotel Strata, or The Stanford Park Hotel, which still have availability and are a few miles from the stadium.

• Winter Sports’ Biggest Event (February 6-22, 2026): The world’s top athletes descend on Northern Italy to compete in thrilling snow and ice sports. Many travelers are eager to experience the excitement firsthand, making Milan (+135%) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (+280%) both see increases in YoY searches.
  • Stay at: Rosapetra Spa Resort, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, offers panoramic mountain views and great spa and relaxation options near the competition.

• 100 years of Route 66 (May 1-3, 2026): America’s most iconic highway turns 100 this year, reigniting interest in nostalgic road trips and small town stays along Route 66. Early data shows increased summer demand across some of the most iconic towns on Route 66, from Illinois to California.
  • IL: Chicago (+30%), Springfield (+50%)
  • AZ: Flagstaff (+15%)
  • CA: San Bernardino (+50%)
  • Stay at: Americana Motor Hotel or High Country Motor Lodge that are right off the highway in Flagstaff and combine small-town charm with modern amenities.

• Summer Soccer Tournament (June – August 2026): Major international soccer matches will be hosted across North America, including Seattle, Mexico City, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Philadelphia, and more. Following the official draw announcement on December 5, Hotels.com recorded a 665% surge in global searches for all host cities. Early demand for the US men’s team matches is strong, particularly in Seattle and LA, where hotel prices are expected to rise sharply during first-round matches.
  • Los Angeles (June 12): 205% increase, hotels at $805/night.
  • Seattle (June 19): 385% increase, hotels at $610/night.
  • Los Angeles (June 25): 270% increase, hotels at $530/night.
  • Stay at: Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach in LA and The Paramount Hotel in Seattle, both close to their respective stadiums.

• Solar Eclipse (August 12, 2026): A total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe and the Arctic, making it one of the year’s most anticipated natural phenomena. Search data from the 2024 solar eclipse showed hotel searches increased by as much as 1,000% in cities located along the path of totality, like Burlington, Vermont. For 2026, Greenland (+55%), Iceland (+445%), and several cities in Northern Spain (+125%) are expected to have the best views.
  • Stay at: Alda Hotel Reykjavik, a luxury, VIP access hotel, in Reykjavik, which is on the path of totality.

• Bad Bunny World Tour (January – July 2026): 2026 is when this artist takes over, from his big mid-game performance in February to a world tour spanning North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. His recent December 10 show in Mexico City sparked a 70% increase in searches from North American travelers. Other highly anticipated destinations include;
  • Medellin, Colombia (January 23 –25): +25% increase in YoY searches
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (February 13 –15): +55% increase in YoY searches
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil (February 20 and February 21): +80% increase in YoY searches
  • Madrid, Spain (May 30 – June 15): +45% increase in YoY searches
  • Stay at: Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires, a five-star hotel and a peaceful retreat in Buenos Aires' vibrant Recoleta district close to Estadio Monumental, where Bad Bunny is performing.

For data and tips on how to Get a Room for the biggest events of 2026, head to the Hotels.com Newsroom and follow Hotels.com on Instagram and TikTok.

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