In Video: Demand for short-term rentals on the rise for 2026 World Cup

FIFA World Cup Fever Hits US Host Cities

The excitement is building ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with group stage matchups now revealed. As fans around the globe start making plans to travel to the tournament, a major boost is being seen in short-term rental bookings in the 11 host cities.

A significant increase in bookings can be seen in the US host cities for the group stage match nights. With the release of group stage matchups, fans are already making plans to travel to the 11 US host cities. According to data, the host cities are experiencing a 215% spike in short-term rental bookings for the group stage match nights compared to the same period last year.

New Opportunities for Travelers and Hosts

For many soccer enthusiasts, attending the World Cup is a dream come true. However, this year, it’s not just the fans who are reaping the benefits of the tournament. Travel agents, like Austin Cy, who live in the host cities, are also seeing opportunities to make money by renting out their homes on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.

Austin’s homeowners association typically restricts renters to a minimum of 3 months, but they have waived this rule for the World Cup, allowing him to host travelers. Instead of spending money on tickets, Austin is hoping to make money to fund a family vacation. “We are always looking for an excuse to travel,” he said. “So, anytime we can go, if this part’s covered over here financially, then that gives us a new place to shift the dollars and go explore the rest of the world.”

Airbnb’s Potential Boost

Airbnb estimates its hosts could earn up to $210 million from hosting World Cup fans. This is a significant increase compared to the 1994 World Cup, where such options were not as readily available. According to Victor Mat, a sports economist and professor at the College of the Holy Cross, this type of rental program can have multiple benefits. “This is good for cities because the money that gets spent on Airbnbs will stick in the host cities and not go back to some big corporate monolith in some other city,” he said.

The use of short-term rentals also helps meet the demand for accommodations during the tournament. Instead of building new hotels that might sit empty most of the year, this approach provides an efficient solution. According to Mat, “You might need an extra 10,000 hotel rooms during a big event like this, but you certainly don’t want to build a new hotel that’s going to sit empty 90% of the year.”

Conclusion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be a huge event for the US host cities. With short-term rental bookings soaring and hosts like Austin, and potentially earning millions of dollars, it’s clear that this is an opportunity that both fans and local residents are jumping at. Whether it’s a dream vacation for fans or an opportunity for hosts, the excitement is building ahead of the big event.

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