Rio hotels costlier for World Cup than Olympics

Football fans heading to Brazil for the World Cup will pay almost 50 per cent more for hotel rooms in Rio de Janeiro than sports fans descending on the city for the Olympics two years later.

That’s because FIFA’s official accommodations agency isn’t capping the maximum room rate, unlike Olympic officials.

Industry studies show that hotel rates in Rio offered by FIFA agency MATCH Services will cost on average $150 more than those offered by hotels contracted directly through the local Olympic organizing committee for the 2016 Games.

While the price caps during the Olympics help keep costs down, analysts also say it has to do with simple supply and demand. Less people are expected in Rio during the Olympics and there will be more hotel rooms available because of ongoing construction.