This summer, millions of people will flock to cities across North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
That influx of visitors means there’s growing demand for lodging in the 16 World Cup host cities. To meet that surge, the short-term rental giant Airbnb is offering a monetary bonus for certain new hosts in these cities.
“Under the offer, new entire home hosts in any of the 16 World Cup host cities in Canada, Mexico and the US who welcome their first guests between now and July 31, 2026 are eligible to receive $750 USD,” Airbnb said in a statement.
Residents in World Cup host cities who rent out their space on Airbnb during the tournament are expected to earn an average of $3,000, according to a Deloitte analysis shared by the short-term rental company.
Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s chief business officer, said there has “never been a better time to become a host” for the platform.
“As the world’s biggest sporting event comes to North America, Airbnb is launching its biggest new host incentive ever,” he said in a statement last month. “Demand for World Cup stays on Airbnb is surging, giving residents of host cities the opportunity to boost their incomes by sharing their homes and the communities they love.”
The Independent requested more information from Airbnb about the program.
The World Cup is expected to bring up to 10 million international visitors to the U.S., according to the State Department. Several host cities are already preparing for this influx by installing signs in multiple languages and improving transportation to help fans get to the stadiums.
Eleven U.S. cities will host games, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle. Matches will also be hosted in the New York/New Jersey region and the San Francisco Bay Area.
But with less than 100 days until the World Cup kicks off, fans are expressing concerns about the unprecedented demand for tickets and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran, according to Reuters. They’re also grappling with the ongoing immigration crackdown in the U.S.
“I’m afraid I might not be allowed into the country, I’ve decided to fly to Canada at most, but not to the USA,” German soccer fan Tom Roeder told the outlet.
