Puerto Vallarta is getting ready to welcome a wave of global visitors as excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup spreads across Mexico. While Guadalajara is one of the official host cities, just 300 kilometers away, Puerto Vallarta is preparing to benefit from the influx of international travelers.
According to Omar Torres, Director of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the tournament will bring expanded air connectivity, new international routes, and a significant boost to the local economy. Traditionally, June is considered a low season for international tourism in Puerto Vallarta. However, the World Cup is expected to transform this period into a high-demand season.
“This event will help compensate for what is usually a slow season, turning it into an early high season,” Torres explained during a recent press meeting. “It’s great news for local entrepreneurs and small businesses, who typically face closures during this time of year. The economic impact will be significant.”
Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta: Twin Hubs of Attraction for 2026
Alejandra Soto, Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility at Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), noted that the trend is already clear: what was once considered a slow period for Puerto Vallarta may soon become one of intense international activity.
“That’s always the case with the World Cup,” Soto explained. “You go for the matches, but there’s always free time, and when you’ve traveled from abroad, you want to explore the country’s destinations. Today, Puerto Vallarta’s airport is fully prepared for that demand.”
Meanwhile, Guadalajara International Airport is undergoing a major expansion. Since 2023, over 9.2 billion pesos have been invested in constructing a new terminal building. Once complete, its capacity will grow from 45,000 square meters to 119,114, enabling the airport to serve up to 12 million passengers annually.
Although the new terminal is not expected to be finished until 2027, the upgrades already underway will ensure sufficient capacity to handle increased traffic during the 2026 World Cup.
“We’re ready to respond to any demand generated by this global event—not just for Guadalajara, but also for Puerto Vallarta and Mexico as a whole,” Soto added. “This is about more than infrastructure; it’s about sending a message of what we already offer and what we’re building for the future. A World Cup is not just a sports event—it’s an opportunity to showcase Mexico as a world-class destination.”
What This Means for Real Estate Investors
For property buyers and investors, these developments underscore the growing strength of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara as international hubs. Increased connectivity, infrastructure investment, and global visibility typically translate into stronger rental markets, higher occupancy rates, and long-term appreciation in property values.
As the countdown to 2026 continues, both cities are positioning themselves as prime beneficiaries of the world’s most-watched sporting event—making this the perfect time to explore real estate opportunities in the region.
Reference: https://expansion.mx/empresas/2025/08/25/aeropuertos-puerto-vallarta-se-alista-para-el-mundial-2026
