Airbnb is offering a $750 (£600) bonus to new hosts in 16 World Cup host cities across North America as demand for accommodation surges ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The incentive applies to those who welcome their first guests by 31 July 2026.
The short-term rental company said residents in host cities could earn an average of $3,000 by renting out their space during the tournament, according to a Deloitte analysis. Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s chief business officer, described it as the company's biggest new host incentive ever.
The World Cup is expected to bring up to 10 million international visitors to the US alone. Eleven US cities will host matches, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Kansas City. Games will also be held in Canadian and Mexican cities.
However, some fans have expressed concerns about ticket demand, geopolitical tensions, and the US immigration crackdown. German fan Tom Roeder said he would avoid travelling to the US due to fears of being denied entry.
