Mar 14, 2026
Do you live or own a home in one of the cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Renting your property could put some extra cash in your pocket this summer.
Airbnb says searches for stays in host cities are already up about 80% year-over-year, and estimates some hosts could earn thousands by offering properties for rent short-term. The platform is offering a $750 bonus to anyone renting out an entire home in a host city for the first time (1).
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The chance to earn that much may appeal to many, but it isn’t as simple as it might seem. Local regulations and homeowner association (HOA) rules could prevent some homeowners from hosting at all, while taxes and fees can significantly reduce the final payout.
In other words, what appears to be a profitable side hustle isn’t guaranteed to be possible, or to pay enough to be worth the effort.
How much hosts could earn
Airbnb’s one-time bonus is available to new hosts in the 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico where World Cup games are taking place.
But it only represents a small portion of potential earnings. A Deloitte analysis commissioned by Airbnb — which is an official FIFA supporter — estimates that hosts could earn around $3,000 on average during the tournament.
Here's the average earnings estimate for the cities hosting World Cup games:
- New York or New Jersey: $5,700
- Boston: $5,200
- Los Angeles: $5,100
- Miami: $5,000
- Dallas: $4,400
- Seattle: $3,800
- Atlanta: $3,700
- Kansas City: $3,500
- Vancouver: $3,100
- San Francisco Bay Area: $3,000
- Houston: $3,000
- Toronto: $2,000
- Philadelphia: $1,900
- Mexico City: $1,800
- Monterrey, Mexico: $1,000
- Guadalajara, Mexico: $900 (2)
It’s important to remember these numbers are estimates based on the expected going rate per night and the number of nights stayed — and they’re designed to tempt people to list their property on Airbnb.
Actual returns depend on exact neighbourhoods, proximity to stadiums and transit routes, the property’s size and quality, and supply and demand. If the opportunity to capitalize on this rare short-term income opportunity catches on and results in a flood of new listings, nightly rates may fall.
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Some homeowners can’t participate
Before counting on World Cup income, homeowners should check that they are legally allowed to rent their property. This is often assumed to be a given. However, multiple layers of rules can prevent hosting altogether, including:
- City rules: Some municipalities impose registration, licensing, primary-residence requirements or rental day limits (3).
- HOA/building rules: Homeowner associations and condominium boards can impose rental restrictions (4). Eligibility rules for the bonus also have fine print. Hosts must generally be new to Airbnb or have had no active listing before Feb. 1, 2026, make their entire home available in an eligible zip code, and complete a reservation for at least $100 on or before July 31, 2026 (5).
Expenses reduce take-home income
If you’re thinking of taking the plunge, one major cost to think about is insurance. Many standard homeowners' insurance policies don’t automatically cover short-term rental activity, meaning hosts may need additional coverage or a specialized policy, according to reporting in Insurance Business magazine (6).
Having insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended. Without it, hosts could face high out-of-pocket costs if a guest is injured, a neighbor files a liability claim or damage occurs during a stay.
Other expenses include maintenance, cleaning, Airbnb service fees and taxes. Depending on the location, hosts may need to pay local lodging taxes, state taxes and federal income taxes (7).
Read More: Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
What to check before listing your home
Before making plans to cash in on your home during the World Cup, consider the following checklist:
- Confirm your city’s short-term rental laws and permit requirements.
- Review HOA or building policies that might prohibit rentals.
- Check your homeowner’s insurance to see if short-term rentals are covered, and obtain the relevant insurance if not.
- Estimate total costs**,** including taxes, platform fees, insurance and cleaning.
- Gauge potential earnings by looking at similar listings in your neighborhood for the tournament period.
- Verify eligibility for the $750 incentive, including ZIP code and host status requirements.
If you’re legally able to rent, subtract the estimated costs from the potential earnings, then consider if the money you’re left with represents a reasonable return for the hassle of renting your place out.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Airbnb (1, 5); Deloitte (2); AirDNA (3); Condo Control (4); Insurance Business (6); Internal Revenue Service (7)
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Daniel Liberto is a financial journalist with over 10 years of experience covering markets, investing, and the economy. He writes for global publications and specializes in making complex financial topics clear and accessible to all readers.
