The tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be the largest FIFA World Cup to date, featuring 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 5 million fans are expected to attend at least one match.
According to AirDNA, hotels are expected to absorb most of the accommodation demand, while short-term rentals will play a significant supporting role, particularly in destinations where hotel supply is constrained.
Airbnb, the official Alternative Accommodations and Experiences Booking Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, estimates that more than 380,000 guests will stay in Airbnb listings during the tournament, contributing approximately USD 3.6 billion to local host city economies.
AirDNA stated that demand for World Cup dates across host cities is currently up 33% year-over-year. Mexico is recording the strongest increases, with bookings in Guadalajara and Monterrey rising by more than 250% year-over-year, while Mexico City has recorded an 89% increase.
In the United States, Kansas City is leading booking growth at 72%, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth at 59% and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale at 55%.
While most host cities are recording more than 30% year-over-year booking growth, Seattle, Vancouver and San Francisco are showing slower increases.
According to the report, 1.72 million nights are currently booked across host cities for the group stage between June 10 and June 27, representing a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.
AirDNA noted that another one million bookings would be required to match last year’s final total of 2.72 million demand nights, with additional late bookings expected in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
The report highlights diverging booking patterns between markets. Guadalajara and Monterrey, where accommodation supply is more limited, experienced booking growth significantly ahead of last year’s pace. In contrast, Seattle, Boston and New York recorded stronger booking momentum immediately after the Final Draw before moderating in recent weeks.
San Francisco was identified as an outlier market, showing limited incremental demand growth linked to the tournament.
On the supply side, short-term rental inventory has expanded rapidly. Since June 2025, listing growth has been strongest in Kansas City at 43%, Monterrey at 23% and Guadalajara at 16%.
AirDNA reported that active listings across host cities increased by 5% year-over-year as of April, compared with 2% growth recorded at the beginning of the year.
The report noted that new listings represented approximately 2% of active listings each month before March, before doubling to 4% in March and April.
Kansas City recorded some of the strongest supply growth, with active listings increasing by more than 20% during March and April alone. New listings accounted for 8.5% of all active listings in March and 11.2% in April.
Despite the increase in inventory, AirDNA stated that most new listings are not exclusive to World Cup dates. In all but one host city, fewer than 4% of listings added since June 2025 were available only during the tournament period. Kansas City was the exception, with 13% of new listings linked exclusively to World Cup dates.
Occupancy is currently increasing year-over-year in 14 of the 16 host cities. Mexico is recording the strongest occupancy gains, while Seattle and Vancouver are experiencing lower occupancy levels due to softer demand combined with rising supply.
The report found that group stage matches are currently generating the highest occupancy levels, while occupancy for qualifying rounds remains lower because many travelers are waiting for final matchups to be confirmed.
Among the fastest-filling group stage matches are Seattle’s Australia versus USA match at 71% occupancy and Boston’s Scotland versus Haiti match at 70% occupancy.
Meanwhile, weaker occupancy levels were reported for matches including Uruguay versus Saudi Arabia in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale at 27% occupancy and Haiti versus Morocco in Atlanta at 30%.
AirDNA also identified changing consumer booking behaviour. Lower-priced short-term rentals are outperforming upscale and luxury properties in most host cities, with the strongest trade-down effect observed in Kansas City and Philadelphia.
Guadalajara was identified as an exception, where higher-priced listings are recording stronger occupancy levels than lower-priced inventory.
Smaller accommodation units are also outperforming in most host cities, suggesting that many World Cup travelers are travelling in smaller groups. Miami, Guadalajara and Mexico City were identified as exceptions, where larger-bedroom properties are performing more strongly.
Pricing patterns are also diverging between markets. In Kansas City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Vancouver and Mexico City, booked rates are currently more than 40% higher year-over-year due to tighter supply conditions.
In contrast, high-supply destinations such as Miami, Houston and Atlanta are experiencing slower growth in booked rates despite substantial increases in asking prices.
The report also identified growing spillover demand in secondary markets outside host cities, as travelers seek lower accommodation costs. Markets including Providence, Rhode Island, Columbia, Missouri, and Broken Bow Lake, Oklahoma, are recording increased demand associated with nearby World Cup matches.
According to AirDNA, accommodation, transport and dining costs in host cities are encouraging some visitors to stay one to three hours away from match locations in search of lower overall travel expenses.
AirDNA stated that booking patterns, supply levels and pricing conditions are expected to continue evolving in the weeks leading up to the tournament, particularly as qualifying round matchups are finalized.
Tags: FIFA World Cup AirDNA
