The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest sporting event ever staged in North America: 48 teams, 104 matches, and 39 days of football across 16 host cities, with the United States alone hosting 78 of those matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium. Unlike a one-night event like the Super Bowl, the World Cup stretches across five weeks and multiple cities. Hotels alone cannot meet that demand, which is why renting out your home during the World Cup has become one of the most talked-about ways for homeowners to earn extra income.
Hotels are Lagging, Short-Term Rentals are Filling the Gap
Despite projections of more than 5M match attendees and 6.5M visitors traveling across North America, hotels in U.S. host cities are far from sold out. Match-day occupancy rates have generally struggled to exceed 50%, with New York City recording the highest rate at 57% on June 13.
Affordability is a major factor, but so is the type of traveler attending the tournament. High ticket prices and airfare costs have limited demand from individual fans, while many international visitors are traveling with parents, children, and extended family members. Research commissioned by Airbnb found that 64% of respondents consider staying under one roof very important, and 61% say short-term rentals better meet the needs of larger travel groups.
Demand across World Cup host cities has risen by 33% compared to last year, outpacing hotels. Airbnb has responded with its largest host recruitment campaign ever, offering a $750 USD bonus to eligible first-time hosts and reporting an 80% jump in searches across host cities compared to last year.
How Much Can Hosts Earn?
According to a Deloitte analysis commissioned by Airbnb, U.S. hosts are expected to earn around $156 million during the World Cup, averaging about $4,000 per host and $262 per night. Beyond host earnings, Airbnb guest spending is projected to generate roughly $3.6B in economic activity across host cities.
Expected earnings vary widely by market, with hosts in the New York-New Jersey region projected to earn around $5,700, compared with $1,900 in Philadelphia.
Why Mid-Size Markets Are Outperforming
Not all host cities are seeing the same level of demand. AirDNA data shows Kansas City leading all U.S. host cities with booking growth of 72%, ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth at 59% and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale at 55%. Meanwhile, Seattle and San Francisco have seen slower increases in demand.
The strongest-performing markets tend to have one thing in common: limited accommodation supply. Kansas City, which has fewer hotel rooms near its stadium than many other host cities, has experienced some of the largest price increases. According to AirDNA, average nightly rental rates during group-stage matches have jumped from $191 to $706 year over year.
Dallas is seeing similar momentum. Bookings surged by 300% to 500% after the final draw, and occupancy rates for group-stage games are nearly double what they were a year ago.
Because cities like New York already have large inventories and high summer travel demand, they can absorb additional visitors more easily. AirROI data shows that New York-New Jersey rental premiums remain relatively consistent throughout the tournament, rising from about 108% to 131% for the final.
The Regulatory Map: Where You Can Host, and Where You’ll Get Fined
Host-Friendly Markets
Kansas City
Among all host cities, Kansas City is unique in offering a dedicated short-term rental pathway for the World Cup. The city’s “Major Event” registration lowers the cost to $50 and covers the period from May 3 through July 31, 2026. Even so, it is not a free-for-all. Hosts must still meet safety and zoning rules and pay a 7.5% transient guest tax plus a $3 per-night charge.
Dallas
Short-term rentals in Dallas are currently operating under unsettled legal conditions. A 2023 ordinance aimed at banning rentals in single-family neighborhoods has been halted by a court injunction, and while the city is appealing to the Texas Supreme Court, no decision has been reached. For now, hosts can still operate under standard registration, but the rules may change with little notice.
Houston
Houston has introduced its first short-term rental registration system, which took effect on January 1, 2026, with enforcement starting April 1. Hosts are now required to obtain a Certificate of Registration and comply with fire and building safety codes.
Atlanta
Atlanta regulates short-term rentals through an annual licensing system that restricts owners to their primary home and one extra property. The city also enforces occupancy rules, limiting stays to two adults per bedroom.
Miami
Short-term rentals in Miami are governed by Florida’s preemption rules, which prevent an outright ban. However, hosts must secure multiple permits, and enforcement is heavy. In Miami Beach, fines can be as high as $20,000 for violations.
Moderately Regulated Markets
Boston
Boston has rejected Airbnb’s lobbying efforts to loosen short-term rental rules for the tournament. Rentals are limited to owner-occupied primary residences, meaning investor-owned properties are not allowed. Hosts must also register their properties and carry $1 million in liability insurance.
Seattle
Seattle’s short-term rental rules include a dual-licensing system and a cap of two units per operator, with at least one required to be the host’s primary home. Enforcement is strict, and unlicensed rentals can face fines of $500 per day.
Philadelphia
Short-term rentals in Philadelphia fall under two permit categories: primary-residence “Limited Lodging” and commercially zoned “Visitor Accommodation.” Despite this structure, supply remains very limited, with only about 426 active licenses available for an estimated 149,000 visitors across six matches.
Heavily Restricted Markets
New York City
New York City has the strictest short-term rental rules in the country. Under Local Law 18, hosts must register with the Office of Special Enforcement, be physically present during any stay under 30 days, and are limited to hosting no more than two guests. This effectively makes entire-home rentals illegal.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles limits short-term rentals to a registered primary residence and caps unhosted stays at 120 nights per year. Hosts must also carry $1 million in liability insurance, and violations can result in fines of up to $2,000 per day.
San Francisco Bay Area
Short-term rentals in the San Francisco Bay Area are restricted by a 90-night annual cap on unhosted stays and a 275-day residency requirement. Together, these rules limit the number of active hosts to roughly 1,800 to 2,200 across the city.
New Jersey
Northern New Jersey is the most legally sensitive rental market heading into the tournament. Demand has surged due to New York City’s strict Local Law 18, which has pushed travelers across the Hudson River. However, over 75 municipalities in New Jersey ban short-term rentals entirely.
What Hosts Need to Know Before Kickoff
Renting out a home during the World Cup could be one of the most profitable short-term rental opportunities available to homeowners. Kansas City and Dallas are already experiencing nightly rate increases of several hundred percent over normal levels. But the key factor is preparation, since outcomes depend on both the strength of local demand and compliance with each city’s rules.
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