The 2026 World Cup Could Earn Some Homeowners Thousands—Here’s How

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the United States this summer, and soccer fans can hardly wait. This will be the second time the U.S. will host the tournament, after it first came stateside in 1994. According to FIFA, USA 1994 was the most-attended FIFA World Cup in history, with more than 3.5 million fans viewing matches during the tournament. 

As soccer and sports enthusiasts gear up for the event, which will kick off on June 11 and wrap up with the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, many are thinking about how to get into the spirit of the occasion.

One unique way to get involved? Listing your home on Airbnb. 

Homeowners Could Earn Thousands by Listing Their Homes

Realtor.com reports that Airbnb host earnings are anticipated to reach nearly $156 million for the upcoming soccer tournament. The leading home rental platform is looking for new Airbnb hosts to aid the rising demand in short-term rentals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In fact, Airbnb is providing brand-new hosts—in any one of the 16 World Cup host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—with a $750 reward for listing their space on Airbnb and hosting guests between now and July 31, 2026. Host cities in the U.S. include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco Bay Area.

Airbnb’s enticing incentive program debuts alongside new data indicating that searches for stays in host cities have jumped by an average of 80% compared to the same time last year.

Dave Stephenson, Chief Business Officer at Airbnb, commented: “As the world’s biggest sporting event comes to North America, Airbnb is launching its biggest new host incentive ever. 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. There’s truly never been a better time to become a host on Airbnb.”

Airbnb Resources for First-Time Hosts

Airbnb provides resources for homeowners just getting started on the platform. Consider joining a local Host Club to connect with other hosts and learn exclusive events for hosts pertaining to the World Cup. Linking up with a Co-Host is another option. Co-Hosts can help tackle specific tasks, including setting up your listing, maintenance, and cleaning.

With millions of fans expected to head to the FIFA World Cup this summer, this seems like a prime opportunity for residents in host cities. Deloitte predicts that locals could bank an average of $3,000 by simply renting their home on Airbnb during the tournament.

When Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, 2026 and runs through July 19, when the final game will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The tournament will host 48 teams for the first time in its history, up from 32 in previous iterations. In addition to the United States, games will be held in three cities in Mexico and two in Canada.