Hailey
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest football event in history, with matches hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Millions of fans are expected to travel between June and July 2026.
However, the short-term rental market, including vacation homes and platforms like Airbnb, is surprisingly not seeing the expected booking surge yet. Property owners and hosts are still waiting for a major increase in reservations, even as the event draws closer.
Booking Trends: Growth, But Slower Than Expected
While demand is present, the growth rate of bookings is currently slower than usual for a global event. Weekly booking increases are estimated at around 1–2%, which is considered modest compared to expectations.
At the same time, year-on-year growth still shows positive signs. For example, bookings for June and July 2026 are already higher than previous years, but the pace of new reservations is not accelerating as quickly as anticipated.
This suggests that travelers are either delaying their decisions or exploring alternative accommodation options.
Why Short-Term Rentals Are Facing Delays
Rising Travel Costs
Airfares and fuel prices have increased significantly, making international travel expensive. This has caused some fans to postpone or rethink their travel plans.
Visa and Travel Uncertainty
Strict entry requirements and visa processing delays are creating hesitation among international visitors, especially those traveling long distances.
High Local Transportation Costs
Travel within host cities is also becoming expensive. Fans may have to spend a large amount on transport to reach stadiums, which impacts their overall travel budget.
Shorter Stay Patterns
Unlike typical tourists, football fans often book accommodation only for specific match days. This reduces the total number of nights booked per visitor.
Higher Rental Prices
Many hosts increased prices expecting high demand. However, this strategy may be discouraging early bookings and pushing travelers to wait for better deals.
Key Data: Short-Term Rental Market Snapshot
| Category | Details (2026 World Cup Period) |
|---|---|
| Booking growth rate | 1–2% weekly increase |
| Tournament duration | June 11 – July 19, 2026 |
| Total matches | 104 matches |
| Expected international visitors | Over 1 million |
| Booking trend | Positive but slow growth |
| Stay pattern | Short stays around match days |
Mixed Market Signals Across Cities
The rental market is not uniform across all host cities. Some locations are seeing strong booking activity, especially those hosting major matches, while others are still experiencing slower demand.
Cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston show varying trends, with some experiencing slight declines in available listings as hosts adjust strategies.
This uneven demand indicates that the market is still stabilizing and may depend heavily on match schedules and team popularity.
Will a Last-Minute Booking Surge Happen?
Industry experts believe that the current slowdown is temporary. Historically, major sports events like the World Cup often see a late surge in bookings as fans finalize travel plans closer to match dates.
Many travelers wait until ticket confirmations, team progress, and budget planning are finalized before booking accommodation. This means the short-term rental market could still see a strong spike in demand in the final weeks before the tournament.
The short-term rental market for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is currently in a waiting phase. Although overall demand is higher compared to previous years, the expected rapid surge in bookings has not yet materialized.
Factors like high travel costs, visa concerns, and pricing strategies are slowing early reservations. However, the situation is likely to change as the event approaches. With millions of fans expected to travel, a last-minute booking boom could still turn the market into a major success for hosts and property owners.