New Expedia travel data reveals the 11 destinations that won the tournament for travel, with Cape Verde, Turkey and England topping the table 

The final whistle may have blown, but for travelers, this summer’s soccer tournament is still driving demand. Forget the golden boot, new Expedia data shows football fever translated into real-world wanderlust, with a “Golden Boarding Pass” of 11 countries seeing standout spikes in travel searches as fans followed the drama on and off the pitch. 

Topping the rankings is Cape Verde, where demand surged +935%¹ as the island nation captured hearts with its underdog run and its heroic goalkeeper. Across the tournament, emotional storylines, fan culture and unforgettable moments helped turn football attention into vacation inspiration. 

Expedia’s “Golden Plane”: the summer of soccer travel starting 11 – where Americans might be heading on their next soccer-inspired trip. 

• Goalkeeper — Cape Verde (+935%¹): Safe hands, giant-killing energy. Cape Verde’s breakout tournament run and goalkeeping heroics put the islands on the global map, inspiring travelers to discover a sunny Atlantic escape that suddenly felt impossible to ignore. 

• Right back — Japan (+90%¹): Dependable, disciplined and admired by everyone. Japanese fans once again went viral for cleaning stadiums, reinforcing the country’s reputation for respect, order and hospitality — all powerful drivers for travelers planning their next trip. 

• Centre back — England (+130%¹): Grit, resilience and big-match pedigree. England stayed front-of-mind thanks to a dramatic, backs-against-the-wall campaign, helping convert football buzz into renewed interest in London, legendary stadiums and classic matchday culture. 

• Left back — Scotland (+130%¹): Tireless running and unforgettable support. Scotland’s Tartan Army turned host cities into parties, making the country feel every bit as warm, witty and welcoming as its fans. 

• Central midfield — Turkey (+225%¹): Late drama, instant momentum. Turkey’s last-gasp win over the USA gave the team a memorable tournament sign-off, helping turn gameday emotion into renewed travel appeal for a destination known for big-city energy, coastline escapes and standout cuisine. 

• Attacking midfield — Algeria (+295%¹): The late runner with lift. Algeria’s knockout-stage momentum and the wave of celebrations it sparked at home gave the country a feel-good global spotlight, helping turn football pride into fresh travel curiosity around its atmosphere, heritage and culture. 

• Attacking midfield — Norway (+70%¹): Composed, creative and impossible not to like. Norway’s feel-good run, backed by the now-viral Viking Row and star striker, turned the country into a bucket-list pick for travelers drawn to fjords, cool-city breaks and uplifting national pride. 

• Right wing — Brazil (+100%¹): Flair, rhythm and pure entertainment. Brazil’s trademark drama and style once again made it one of the tournament’s most magnetic teams, translating naturally into travel appeal built on beaches, music, nightlife and football culture. 

• Striker — Argentina (+120%¹): The headline-maker. Argentina’s emotional journey and the enduring pull of their famous Captain kept the country at the center of the global conversation, inspiring fans to experience the passion of Buenos Aires and beyond for themselves. 

• Left wing — Spain (+50%¹): The champions’ swagger. Spain’s title-winning campaign gave the country the ultimate halo effect, turning on-pitch brilliance into fresh travel appeal for a destination already loved for its cities, coastlines, food and football culture. 

“The ranking shows that soccer-inspired travel demand is no longer only about the trophy contenders. In 2026, some of the biggest winners were the countries that gave fans a story to fall in love with — whether through heroic goalkeeping, emotional celebrations, fan traditions or sheer underdog spirit. Global tournaments continue to blur the line between sport, culture and travel, the lesson is clear: when a country captures attention on the pitch, travelers are increasingly ready to book a trip off it,” said Melanie Fish, Expedia spokesperson. 

Follow the fandom and book your next trip on Expedia, bundle² flights and hotels to save hundreds.  

Notes to Editor    

¹ Based on lodging searches made on Expedia US from 11 June 2026 – 23 July 2026, for stays anytime, compared to the same search dates in 2025 

²Savings vary and are not available on all packages. Savings are compared to the price of the same components booked separately.     

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does a major soccer tournament affect where people travel?

A: Expedia data shows that major global soccer tournaments can spark large spikes in travel searches for countries whose teams deliver emotional storylines, underdog runs or unforgettable fan moments, as people look to turn what they saw on TV into real‑world trips.

Q: Which countries saw the biggest travel search increases during the 2026 summer tournament?

A: According to lodging search data on Expedia US, Cape Verde, Turkey, England, Scotland, Algeria, Norway, Japan, Brazil, Argentina and Spain were among the 11 countries with the strongest year‑on‑year increases in travel interest during the June–July 2026 tournament window.

Q: How can travelers save when booking a soccer‑inspired trip on Expedia?

A: Travelers can book their soccer‑inspired getaway on Expedia and use Bundle & Save deals to save when they book flights and hotels together in a package, with additional value available through the One Key loyalty program for eligible bookings.