Hosts in World Cup cities report higher short-term rental revenue

Fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup have increased demand for short-term rentals in host cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Hosts are reporting higher occupancy and nightly rates compared with the same period last year. Women account for 53 percent of active hosts and 50.5 percent of bookings during the tournament.

They also represent nearly three in five participants in Airbnb’s $750 incentive program for new hosts who welcomed guests before July 31, 2026.

Revenue and occupancy data Hosts across the 16 cities are projected to earn a combined $212 million, with an average payout of $3,000 per listing. One host in North Texas recorded a 78 percent revenue increase after raising rates from $155 to between $185 and $225 per night.

A second host in Atlanta reported a 40 percent revenue increase, charging $80 to $100 nightly and offering a 20 percent discount for advance bookings. Both properties reached full occupancy in June and near-full occupancy in July.

Host demographics and stated motivations A Focaldata study found that one in three women in host cities reported lower financial security than a year earlier, and three in four said $3,000 in hosting income would make a meaningful difference. Hosts cited uses for the earnings that include travel savings and business reinvestment.

One host stated that women have historically been viewed as nurturers and that the platform allows them to monetize that role while managing household expenses.