Airbnb is offering $1,000 to new FIFA World Cup 2026™ hosts in Canada

With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ on the horizon, millions of people around the world are eagerly making travel plans to come to Canada and attend the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Airbnb—Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Tournament Supporter—is looking for new hosts and has today launched its biggest new host incentive program ever. Under the offer, new entire home hosts in any of the 16 World Cup host cities in Canada, the US, and Mexico who welcome their first guests between now and July 31, 2026 are eligible to receive approximately $1,000 CAD ($750 USD).

The launch comes as new data shows that demand for stays on Airbnb during the FIFA World Cup is surging, with searches for stays in host cities increasing by an average of 80 per cent compared to the same period last year.¹

More information on the new host incentive, including details on eligibility, is available at http://airbnb.com/new-host-fifa.

An opportunity for Toronto and Vancouver residents

Millions of fans are expected to attend the FIFA World Cup this summer, including 146,000 fans in Toronto and 204,000 fans in Vancouver.² Deloitte estimates that Toronto residents could earn about $2,700 on average by renting their space on Airbnb during the tournament, while hosts in Vancouver could earn roughly $4,200.³

And survey insights from Focaldata⁴ released today show what the extra income from hosting would mean for Canadians. It shows that potential new hosts are motivated by opportunities to boost their income to help afford basic living costs, and to share their communities with guests. The Focaldata survey shows: 

• Almost two-thirds of respondents (63 per cent) would consider renting out space in their homes during the tournament;
• Over half (54 per cent) say earning extra income would be their primary motivation for hosting; 
• Almost 90 per cent say the extra income would have a significant or moderate positive impact on their current financial situation; 
• Residents would mostly use the extra income to help clear debts (42 per cent), cover living expenses (33 per cent), and help save mores (29 per cent);
• Residents would be most excited to share local hidden gems (53 per cent) and their favourite restaurants, cafes and attractions (52 per cent) with guests.

Dave Stephenson, Chief Business Officer at Airbnb, said:

“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.”

Support for new hosts

Airbnb has a number of resources to support new hosts on the platform:

• Explore the Resource Centre. Learn more about hosting during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including tips for new hosts and ways to attract guests. 
• Find a Co-Host. Get high-quality local support through the Co-Host Network. You can ask a co-host to handle specific tasks. Their services can include helping with licensing and hosting permits, listing setup, setting prices and availability, and cleaning and maintenance.
• Join a local Host Club.Connect with other hosts, share insights, and stay informed about exclusive events for hosts related to the tournament.