World Cup Brings 10 Goals and 5.5% More International Travelers to the City, Reports Monterrey International Airport
- From June 1st to Sunday, June 21st, following matches such as Sweden vs. Tunisia (5-1) and Japan vs. Tunisia (4-0), Monterrey International Airport recorded 153,075 international passengers, representing a 5.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
- During the historic FIFA 1,000th game week, held between June 15th to 21st, the airport reported a 12.9% growth in international passenger numbers.
- With cutting-edge technologies improving the user experience and streamlining travel processes, the airport continues to solidify its position as one of the leading international gateways to northern Mexico.
Monterrey, N.L., June 23rd, 2026 – Alongside goals and historic matches, such as the 1,000th game in FIFA World Cup history, the football championship has contributed to an increase in international passenger arrivals at Monterrey International Airport, operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA).
According to the airport's data, between June 1st and June 21st, 2026, a total of 153,075 passengers traveled to and from destinations outside of Mexico, marking a 5.5% growth compared to the same period in 2025.
Between June 15th and 21st alone, which includes the historic 1,000th FIFA game played between Japan and Tunisia, the airport registered 59,898 international passengers, a remarkable 12.9% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. This growth was driven by the arrival of visitors, fans, support teams, media personnel, and business travelers linked to the economic and tourism activities spurred by this global event.
The broad network of international routes operating from Monterrey, combined with newly added destinations and increased flight frequencies, has efficiently catered to the surge of travelers coming to the city during this period of heightened activity.
With two more World Cup matches scheduled in the coming weeks, including South Africa vs. South Korea on June 24th and the Round of 16 match between the winner of Group F and the runner-up of Group C on June 29th, expectations remain high for continued growth in international traveler traffic.
Currently, Monterrey International Airport operates flights to over 66 destinations, including 26 international locations. The airport continues to implement its infrastructure modernization and technology investment program to accommodate the sustained growth in air travel demand, further strengthening its operational capacity for the coming years.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V., known as OMA, operates 13 international airports in nine states of central and northern Mexico. OMA’s airports serve Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest metropolitan area, the tourist destinations of Acapulco, Mazatlán, and Zihuatanejo, and nine other regional centers and border cities. OMA also operates the NH Collection Hotel inside Terminal 2 of the Mexico City airport and the Hilton Garden Inn at the Monterrey airport. OMA employs over 1,200 persons in order to offer passengers and clients airport and commercial services in facilities. OMA is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (OMA) and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (OMAB). Since December 2022, OMA is part of VINCI Airports, the world´s leading private airport operator.
