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The World Cup AI Visibility Research

When World Cup fans ask AI where to book, Booking.com is the 1st name it says.

But there is still room to win

We tracked and analyzed 30 real fan questions about Travel Booking Platforms for the 2026 World Cup across five leading AI engines (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews and Claude), one slice of a 900-prompt study spanning 30 fan categories. Here is exactly where Booking.com landed.

The leaderboard

Who AI recommends for World Cup Travel Booking Platforms

Booking.com ranks #1 of 15 Travel Booking Platforms brands by share of AI answers.

Mention share across 5 AI engines
1Booking.com32.7%
2Expedia32.0%
3On Location19.3%
4Google Flights18.0%
5Airbnb17.3%
6Skyscanner15.3%
7Roadtrips9.3%
8TripIt9.3%
9Kayak8.7%
10Wanderlog6.7%
11Reddit6.7%
12Vrbo6.0%
13Trip.com6.0%
14Amtrak5.3%
15Sports Traveler5.3%
Bar length = mentions relative to #1. Value = share of all answers.
The wider picture

Where Booking.com has room to win, 1 more World Cup categories

Booking.com leads Travel Booking Platforms, but the tournament is 30 categories wide. Here is where it ranks across the rest, and where the position is still open. Amber is a close race, red is wide open.

Hotels / Lodging#2 of 1514.7%
Every question we asked

All 30 fan questions, and where Booking.com showed up

The exact questions fans ask AI about Travel Booking Platforms. Booking.com appeared in 18 of 30. The other 12 are open territory: a rival owns the answer, Booking.com is absent.

✓What's the best website or app to book an entire World Cup trip?AI OverviewGeminiPerplexity
✓Which booking platforms handle flight plus hotel packages well for big events like the World Cup?AI OverviewChatGPTGeminiPerplexityClaude
✓What's the best app for managing all my World Cup travel reservations in one place?PerplexityClaude
✓Which travel platforms have the best cancellation policies for World Cup bookings?ChatGPTGeminiPerplexityClaude
·Are World Cup travel packages worth it compared with booking everything separately?Not mentioned
·How do I build a multi-city World Cup itinerary without losing my mind?Not mentioned
·What's the right order to book things for a World Cup trip: flights, hotels, or tickets first?Not mentioned
·How do I keep track of bookings across flights, hotels, and match tickets for a World Cup trip?Not mentioned
·How should I plan a two-week World Cup trip that follows my team through the tournament?Not mentioned
✓Which booking sites usually have the lowest prices for event travel like the World Cup?ChatGPTGemini
·Are package deals actually cheaper for World Cup travel or just convenient?Not mentioned
✓How do I find hidden fees before booking a World Cup trip online?AI OverviewChatGPT
·Are travel agents or concierge services worth it for planning a premium World Cup trip?Not mentioned
·What do high-end World Cup travel packages typically include?Not mentioned
✓What's the easiest platform for booking a World Cup trip for a family of five?Gemini
·How do groups usually split payments when booking World Cup travel together?Not mentioned
✓Which booking platforms work best for international fans paying in a foreign currency?AI OverviewChatGPTClaude
✓Do travel booking sites show different prices depending on which country you book from?ChatGPTGeminiPerplexity
✓As a fan traveling from another country, should I book through a local platform or an international one?Gemini
·What's the best way to book day trips or activities in a World Cup host city?Not mentioned
✓Are there booking platforms that specialize in event travel within host cities?ChatGPTGemini
·How do I book intercity travel between World Cup host cities: train, bus, or flight?Not mentioned
·How can I tell if a World Cup travel package is a scam?Not mentioned
✓Is it safer to book directly with airlines and hotels or through a third-party site for World Cup travel?ChatGPT
✓What's the fastest way to book a last-minute World Cup trip in one sitting?Gemini
✓Which travel apps are best when plans change mid-tournament?AI OverviewGeminiPerplexityClaude
✓What should I compare when choosing a booking platform for a World Cup trip?ChatGPTGeminiPerplexity
✓Booking everything on one platform versus mixing platforms for a World Cup trip: what are the tradeoffs?AI OverviewChatGPTGemini
✓Where can I find honest reviews of travel booking platforms before planning my World Cup trip?ChatGPTGeminiPerplexityClaude
✓Which travel booking platforms do people associate most with big international sporting events?AI OverviewChatGPTGeminiPerplexityClaude
Proven in the field

The biggest multi-brand enterprise teams choose Brandlight to win the AI answer.

Procter & Gamble Samsung Kimberly-Clark McKinsey & Company TD Aetna The Hartford Carnival Caesars Charter Hilti McCormick
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