Some Belfast hotels are already selling rooms for next year’s Fleadh at more than double their normal price, it has emerged.
The Irish News found rooms at four separate hotel chains priced at between 43 percent and 107 percent more for Fleadh week 2027 than for the week beforehand.
A double room at the ibis Belfast Queens Quarter rises from £743.19 for the last week of July to £1,541.34 during the week of the Fleadh – an increase of 107 percent.
At the Ramada by Wyndham Belfast in the Cathedral Quarter, a Standard Double rises from £1,185.03 to £1,963.01, up 66 percent.
The hotel’s Standard Room with two double beds rises 93 percent, from £1,435 to £2,762.97.
At the Hilton Belfast, the same King Guest Room costs £1,097.95 one week and £2,030.28 the next.
At Premier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter, the only room type currently on sale for Fleadh week is the upgraded Premier Plus room, at £1,817.
The same room costs £1,271 the week before, a rise of 43 percent.
The hotel’s cheaper standard rooms are no longer showing as available for the week of the Fleadh.
The all-Ireland Fleadh returns to Belfast from 1 to 8 August 2027.
The figures obtained by the Irish News were taken directly from the hotel operators’ own booking systems and compare seven nights for two adults during Fleadh week against the same stay a week earlier, from 25 July to 1 August.
It is estimated 1.65 million people came into the city for the 2026 Fleadh earlier this month, more than double the 800,000 that had been forecast.
In April, The Irish News reported that short-term let owners were seeking almost £6,000 to rent Belfast properties for the 2026 Fleadh, roughly double their normal rates.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “Fleadh Cheoil 2027 presents another significant opportunity to showcase Belfast on a world stage and to build on that success. We recognise that accommodation availability and affordability are important considerations for families and visitors planning their trip.
“Belfast offers a wide range of accommodation options across the city region, from camping and motorhome facilities, student accommodation and serviced apartments through to budget, mid-range and five-star hotels. August is also traditionally one of the busiest periods of the year for Belfast’s tourism and hospitality sector, with strong demand for accommodation, independent of the Fleadh.
“As we plan for next summer’s event, we will continue to work closely with our tourism partners, accommodation providers and other stakeholders to promote the broadest possible range of accommodation options and to encourage visitors to plan and book early. We will also reinforce the importance of fair and responsible pricing.
“Ultimately, competitive and fair pricing benefits both visitors and the local economy. It encourages people to stay longer, supports local businesses and helps ensure that visitors have a positive experience of Belfast, increasing the likelihood that they will return and recommend the city to others.”
A Tourism Northern Ireland spokesperson said: “Tourism NI’s communications with accommodation providers and other businesses in advance of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann highlighted the importance of fair, transparent and responsible pricing.
“Businesses were encouraged to deliver a high quality, value for money visitor experience.
“Tourism NI also encouraged visitors to explore the full range of available accommodation options as pricing can vary by location and accommodation type.”
The hotel chains did not respond to requests for comment when contacted by the Irish News.