Everything Airbnb Hosts Need to Know: 2026 FIFA World Cup Short-Term Rental Guide

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime revenue opportunity for short-term rental hosts.

With 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the tournament spans 39 days and 104 matches. FIFA estimates more than 5 million fans will attend, and ticket sales are expected to hit roughly 7.1 million.

Hotels won't be the only ones benefiting from the surge. Airbnb is the official alternative accommodation partner for the tournament, and they project over 380,000 guests will stay in Airbnb listings during the World Cup. That's an estimated $3.6 billion flowing into local economies.

And as a host, you want your slice of that pie.

Demand is already exploding. This guide tells you everything you need to know for your World Cup Airbnb strategy.

World Cup at a Glance: Key Dates & Host Cities

Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026

Host Cities by Country:

USA (11 cities):

Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

Mexico (3 cities): Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey

Canada (2 cities): Vancouver, Toronto

Matches are clustered in cities. So you can expect demand to come in waves rather than all at once. Understanding your city's match schedule is the first step to planning your pricing and availability.

Top 5 Stadium Markets for Airbnbs

Early data from PriceLabs shows which markets are seeing the strongest performance indicators:

1. Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium World Cup Airbnb Data

• Occupancy increase: 29.11% (largest projected increase)
• ADR increase: 340% relative increase
• Why it matters: Atlanta's status as a major travel hub—especially its airport—is driving significant demand. Hosts should maintain premium pricing.

2. Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium World Cup Data

• Occupancy increase: 13.63% delta
• ADR increase: 31% rise
• Why it matters: Demand is real and early. Ensure your pricing reflects this momentum.

3. Seattle Lumen Field World Cup Data

• Occupancy increase: 9.65% delta
• ADR increase: 135% relative increase
• Why it matters: A strong West Coast market with some serious pricing power.

4. Boston World Cup Airbnb Data

• Occupancy: Already exceeding 30% on game days and game eves
• Rate increase: Available rates up 75% year-over-year
• Why it matters: Markets with low supply, like Boston, will enjoy massive occupancy gains.

5. Vancouver World Cup Airbnb Data

• Occupancy: Already exceeding 30% on game days and game eves
• Rate increase: Available rates up 160% year-over-year
• Why it matters: Limited hotel and STR inventory means hosts here have significant leverage.

2026 FIFA World Cup Guest Booking Behaviors

The bookings guests have already made tell us a lot about how and why they're planning their trips. Here's what the data shows.

1. Flexibility is a Priority

With match schedules still evolving and many tickets not yet finalized, guests are booking early but keeping their options open.

• Bookings with flexible cancellation policies (cancel up to 24 hours before check-in) are up 277% year-over-year
• Bookings with moderate cancellation policies (free cancellation up to several days before) are up 198% YoY

Hosts offering flexible policies are capturing more of this early wave.

2. Length of Stay Varies by City

Overall, World Cup bookings break down like this:

• 1–2 nights: 31% of reservations
• 3–4 nights: 35%
• 5–10 nights: 26%
• 10+ nights: 8%

But every market tells a different story.

In tourist destinations like Miami, New York, and Mexico City, stays of 5–10 days account for more than one-third of bookings. Guests are turning World Cup trips into broader vacations.

In match-focused cities like Philadelphia and Kansas City, roughly 80% of reservations are for four days or fewer. These guests are coming for the game and leaving shortly after.

Miami shows an interesting pattern: In addition to short stays around match days and longer stays starting on weekends, the city sees a notable share of 3–4 night bookings starting on Thursdays.

If you host in Miami, set your calendar and minimum stays to capture these longer bookings.

3. Guests Have Their Eyes on the Price

Rates are soaring with demand. And naturally, guests are choosing more affordable listings in most markets.

Boston, Kansas City, and Vancouver show the strongest preference for budget-friendly options. In all three cities, more than one-third of short-term rentals are already booked for game days and the day before.

The exception: In Atlanta and Guadalajara, higher-priced listings have higher occupancy. If you're hosting here, there's stronger demand for premium stays.

4. Who's Booking Short-Term Rentals for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Airbnb recently released a report with the FIFA World Cup Travel Trends that shed light on who's booking and how:

Families and groups

Account for more than half of World Cup trips to date. Los Angeles is the most popular destination for families, followed by San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Miami, and Kansas City.

About 75% of family bookings are for two- and three-bedroom listings.

Gen Z travelers

Make up more than 15% of bookings, with nearly half traveling in groups.

Los Angeles, Miami, and New York rank highest among Gen Z guests. International interest is notable: London and Glasgow are leading origin cities for Gen Z travelers, followed by Tokyo.

Gateway Travelers

AKA travelers who use the World Cup as a starting point to explore host countries.  They stay longer (16 nights on average for Latin and South American travelers) and visit more destinations than US guests.

World Cup Matches Driving the Most STR Demand

Not all matches are equal. Based on Airbnb search data, here are the most in-demand matchups so far:

MatchDateLocation

Haiti vs. Scotland - June 13, Boston

Brazil vs. Morocco - June 13, East Rutherford, NJ

Mexico vs. South Africa - June 11, Mexico City

France vs. Senegal - June 16, East Rutherford, NJ

Group H Winner vs. Group J runner-up (Round of 32) - July 2, Los Angeles

Ecuador vs. Germany - June 25, East Rutherford, NJ

Norway vs. Senegal - June 22, East Rutherford, NJ

USA vs. Paraguay - June 12, Los Angeles

USA vs. Australia - June 19, Seattle

Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - June 21, Miami

How to Price your Airbnb for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Pricing for an event this size takes more than just raising rates and hoping for the best. Here are 6 tips from pricing experts.

1. Don't Cap Yourself

Don't set a cap based on what feels right. Early booking data shows fans are willing to pay significantly more for premium proximity. Let market demand, not your instincts, set the ceiling.

2. Add Close-to-Arrival Limits and Watch Gaps

Block arrivals on actual match days. This forces guests to arrive a day or two early, capturing shoulder-night revenue.

Also, don't allow small 1–2 night gaps between match clusters. Use minimum stays to get those longer bookings.

3. Lock in Higher Rates Now

Go into your PriceLabs calendar today and set your rates for June and July at 2 to 3 times your normal peak season prices.

Why now? If someone books early, you want them booking at the right price—not last year's rates. You can always lower prices later if needed, but you can never raise them after a booking is locked in.

4. Get Aggressive with Minimum Stays

Your minimum stay rules can force high-value booking patterns. For all match-related dates, set minimum stays of 5–7 nights. This targets the most valuable demand: international travelers and media who need accommodations for extended periods.

5. Watch the "Median Booked Price" Like a Hawk

Use dynamic pricing tools to track what guests are actually paying in your market, not just what you're asking. If the median booked price exceeds your rates, it's time to raise them.

6. Use Automation Tools, But Stay in the Loop

Harness the power of data with tools like PriceLabs for an event like this. But that doesn't mean you don't need to play your part. Check the data regularly, monitor your rates, and adjust minimums. Working together with the tools is how you get the best rate.

How to Become the First Choice for World Cup Guests

With thousands of listings competing for attention, standing out takes intention. Here's how to make your property the obvious choice.

1. Create Something Perfect for Large Groups & Families

Many properties allow groups but don't actually cater to them. World Cup guests are mostly traveling in groups. Your Airbnb should be comfortable and enjoyable for large groups with all the right amenities (and then some).

If your Airbnb feels like the ultimate luxury group hangout—with bonus features like a game room, pickleball courts, basketball courts, fire pits, decks, and outdoor seating—you become the top choice for groups, families, and longer stays.

2. Optimize Your Listings for Event-Goers

Your title and description should signal relevance to World Cup travelers. Rearrange hero photos to showcase lifestyle and entertainment-focused shots.

Keyword ideas:

• "Near [Stadium Name]"
• "World Cup Cabin"
• "Close to Fan Zone"
• "Proximity to public transport"

Amenities to highlight:

• Large-screen TVs
• Experience-driven amenities like pools, basketball courts, game rooms
• Access to local sports channels or streaming services
• Fast, reliable Wi-Fi
• Spacious gathering areas
• Dedicated storage for sports gear
• Group entertainment features

3. Enhance the Guest Experience with Themed Touches and Extras

Guests paying premium rates expect premium experiences.

Event welcome package: Include a local guide with sports bar recommendations, shuttle information, Fan Zone details, and a small themed welcome basket.

International guests don't like inconvenience. Kitchens should be fully stocked, and extras like firewood or propane tanks should be available.

4. Turn Your Airbnb into a Vacation Spot

Want longer bookings and higher-quality guests? The data shows Airbnb bookings in vacation areas are drawing longer stays and premium prices.

Even if you're not in a popular vacation spot like Mexico City or Miami, you can turn your Airbnb into a true destination with experience-driven amenities. An entertainment-focused Airbnb with the best amenities isn't something guests book for two days—it pushes them to stay longer. And you're giving international guests exactly what they're looking for in a U.S. vacation.

Final Takeaways

• Flexibility wins early bookings. Guests are reserving before tickets are secured. Flexible cancellation policies are seeing the strongest growth.
• Length of stay varies by market. Know whether your city is a tourist destination or a match-focused market/
• Know your guest. Families want space. Gen Z wants groups and nightlife. International guests want longer stays and more destinations.
• Start optimizing now. Listings optimized for event keywords, with clear amenities and thoughtful touches, will win the World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup is a massive opportunity. Hosts who prepare now—with data-driven pricing, optimized listings, and guest-focused strategies—will be the ones cashing in come June.

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👉 Price your listing like a pro with PriceLabs—the best dynamic pricing tool on the market.

Let data, not instincts, set your rates during the World Cup.

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