World Cup excitement builds ahead of Team USA's Bay Area arrival

World Cup excitement is building across the Bay Area as Team USA prepares for its Round of 32 debut in Santa Clara. Hotel officials say they are preparing for July 1, when the top-seeded U.S. team will play, after clinching first place in its group. In San Francisco, Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 general manager Peter Hart said bookings are expected to rise and that rates in the $200 to $400 range may be compressed upward closer to the match. Ticket availability and pricing appear far more challenging: StubHub listings shown in the article range from roughly $2,700 to more than $16,000. Ticket sales researcher Dr. Josh Greer warned that prices could become record-setting if the U.S. continues winning. He advised buyers to use trusted platforms with buyer guarantees, naming StubHub, Ticketmaster and TickPick, while local leaders point visitors toward free World Cup-related experiences.