As the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls through Arlington, Texas, fans attending matches at AT&T Stadium are discovering that hotel prices in the area have become their toughest opponent. The response has been resourceful, if unconventional: thousands of international supporters are booking spots at RV parks and campgrounds instead, turning budget-friendly campsites into impromptu fan zones buzzing with flags, grills, and post-match debates in a dozen languages.
The numbers behind the campground rush
The Dallas/Arlington KOA Holiday, one of the closest campgrounds to the stadium, has reported near-full occupancy during the tournament. All 159 RV sites have been in heavy rotation, with general manager Nona Gomez noting a surge in walk-in visitors, particularly around marquee fixtures.
RV site rates at the campground range from roughly $57 to $76 per person per night. That looks like a bargain when you compare it to hotel rates in the area, which have climbed into the hundreds of dollars during peak match days.
Argentine supporter Santiago Meneses put it bluntly: accommodation costs are at least 50% higher than they were during previous World Cups. German supporter Leroy Behrens echoed the frustration, pointing to broader accessibility challenges created by surging demand across host cities.
