Fans flock to RV parks as World Cup prices surge in Texas

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.

A 48-team tournament means 48-team demand

The 2026 edition is the first to feature 48 teams, a significant expansion from the 32-team format that governed the tournament for decades. More teams means more fans, more matches, and more pressure on infrastructure in every host city. More countries qualifying means more national fan bases traveling, many from footballing powerhouses like Argentina, Germany, and England.

Campground culture becomes fan culture

Fans at RV parks have created a communal atmosphere that, by several accounts, rivals the stadium experience itself. Rows of RVs and tents draped in national team colors, Argentine fans grilling asado next to German supporters, reflect a camaraderie that conventional hotel stays cannot replicate.

The walk-in traffic at campgrounds like the KOA Holiday tells a particular story. These are not fans who planned months ahead to camp. These are people who arrived in Arlington, looked at hotel prices, and made a real-time decision to pivot.

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