Beyond the game: Aussie sport tourism driving wins on and off the field

Australians love to travel for sport and it’s a great opportunity for Airbnb hosts to earn additional income during major sporting events. For example, a typical host earned $1,390 over the weekend of the cricket test in Sydney in January earlier this year¹.  

Airbnb also plays a vital role helping cities meet demand for sport fans while delivering substantial benefits to the community including:

• More spending at local businesses like cafes, pubs and restaurants
• Driving economic growth and tourism in cities and regions across Australia
• And supporting local hosts helping many make ends meet

Research from YouGov shows 70 percent of Aussies say they would travel domestically this year to spectate or to participate in a sporting event² with Sydney topping the sporting destination list followed closely by rival Melbourne³. 

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said, “Millennials are leading the pack with 78 percent having travelled for sport in the past six months⁴ while Gen Z are particularly keen on following the Lions rugby tour⁵.

“Fans flock to Airbnb because they want to be close to the action with research revealing over 55 percent prioritise location when booking sport-related travel.”

This year, two-thirds (66 percent) of New South Wales residents plan to travel for sport followed by 61 percent of Queenslanders and 58 percent of Victorians. Across Australia, YouGov data shows sport fans are willing to spend on average $108 per person per night on accommodation generating a ripple effect that boosts local economies. It also shows Aussies still want to get in on the action of live sport despite the cost of living.

Wheeldon added, “Group bookings are particularly popular with people opting to stay together  for events such as the men’s Ashes in Brisbane⁶. Groups then spend money at local cafes, pubs and restaurants and so it’s the community who reaps the benefits while fans save money by splitting the cost of a large property – something that is a key benefit of Airbnb.”

Both domestic and global events are proving popular such as the NRL’s State of Origin and the AFL Grand Final, while events that attract global visitors such as the upcoming men’s Ashes series and Sydney Marathon have also seen a significant increase in searches on the Airbnb platform⁷.

CEO and Race Director of the TCS Sydney Marathon, Wayne Larden said, “With 35,000 participants and many travelling from interstate or overseas, there are a huge number of runners looking for accommodation. And often they are travelling with family or friends so an Airbnb is a much more convenient and cost effective way for them to travel for the event. As we continue to grow, the demand on hotel space will be exacerbated significantly so the attraction of Airbnb will be greatly enhanced.”

59 percent of Aussies have travelled or are planning to travel for sport before the year is out so there’s never been a better time to offset the cost of living and become an Airbnb host. 

Elia Palambino is a Melbourne Airbnb host who said, “Living just across the road from the iconic Melbourne Grand Prix circuit has made hosting during sporting events not just fun, but unforgettable. I’ve welcomed countless guests who come for the excitement, from passionate F1 fans to people visiting for the Australian Open or other local events. There’s a special buzz during those weekends, and it always feels like my home becomes part of the action.

“Hosting during these sporting weekends really helps me manage the cost of living – especially with my mortgage. It’s also allowed me to put money aside for trips back home to Italy to see my family, which means a lot to me.”

For more information on becoming a host, visit here.

The full report can be found here.