HATFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Fast-paced action from the world’s best soccer players will arrive in North America in just a matter of weeks, but fans looking to travel beyond Massachusetts for the World Cup are facing hotel prices up to five times higher than normal.

While seven matches are being held in Massachusetts, many fans want to see their favorite teams in other cities. A local travel agency said the surge in demand is driving accommodation costs through the roof. “The prices of specifically hotels to start off with have been absolutely insane,” said Jay Smith, president of Sports Travel and Tours in Hatfield.

Sports Travel and Tours helps families book trips for sporting events. Smith said, while tickets to the World Cup are expensive, hotel costs have become the bigger concern. “We had one group from Minnesota that wanted to go down to Kansas City and a hotel that we normally stay at for most of our programs…their normal rate for us ranges, let’s say, from $189 to $229, as an example. They wanted $850 a night plus tax, which made it $1,000,” he explained.

For fans looking to travel to see the United States team play in Los Angeles or Seattle for the group stage, Smith added they should make sure their budget is realistic before making the trip a reality. “I would highly encourage that they think about their budget first and then think about going to the World Cup after they come up with their budget because then they will possibly be able to match what they want to spend,” he noted.

Smith also said to keep an eye on airfares, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, since prices could dip as game day approaches.