The main driver of growth was not an increase in the number of guests, but a sharp rise in prices. About 84% of the additional revenue—$231.8 million—came from higher average daily rates. The increase in the number of bookings accounted for only $44.9 million.
As Mansion Global notes, citing a study by AirDNA, property owners actively adjusted their prices throughout the tournament. As teams advanced to the playoffs, fans increasingly booked accommodations at the last minute, allowing landlords to raise rates. In some cities, prices on the days of the most popular matches significantly exceeded typical summer levels.
However, the impact of the championship varied across different markets. In the U.S., more than 52,000 new short-term rental listings appeared during the tournament, increasing supply by approximately 12%. Some of the new listings were linked to an Airbnb program that offered property owners a $750 bonus for listing their properties and hosting their first guests by the end of July.
The increase in supply intensified competition among landlords. As a result, in some cities, the rise in the number of listings led to a decrease in average rental rates, despite high tourist traffic. Analysts note that profitability during the tournament depended largely not only on demand but also on how quickly property owners adjusted their prices to the changing situation.
The study also shows that major international sporting events continue to be one of the most powerful drivers of the short-term rental market. However, the 2026 World Cup demonstrated that the greatest benefits were reaped not by the markets with the highest number of tourists, but by those where housing supply remained limited, allowing owners to make more effective use of dynamic pricing.
Leaders in total short-term rental revenue:
- Miami: $42.7 million
- Los Angeles: $32.7 million
- Dallas/Fort Worth: $26 million
- New York / Newark: $22.8 million
Leaders in revenue growth (year-over-year):
- Monterrey (Mexico): +96%
- Guadalajara (Mexico): +91%
- Kansas City (U.S.): +88%
