Airbnb becomes an official provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Airbnb has signed a landmark agreement with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, becoming the Official Hosting Provider for the biggest multi-sport event ever in the West Midlands. 

Birmingham 2022 is expected to attract more than one million spectators to the city from around the world, as well as around 4,500 athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories. Airbnb and Birmingham 2022 are encouraging locals from Birmingham and the West Midlands to welcome the influx of visitors whilst also earning additional income.  

From the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through to COP26 in Glasgow, Airbnb has a long history of helping cities accommodate big events, while generating benefits for local families and communities. Home sharing allows cities to flexibly increase the number of guests they can accommodate without expensive building and infrastructure projects, providing a more sustainable way of accommodating a surge in visitors.

Home sharing will contribute to the legacy of Birmingham 2022 by spreading the benefits, beyond hotel districts, to communities that guests might otherwise have missed. In Birmingham, the majority of listings on Airbnb are outside of the city centre, with the Airbnb community offering a more local and authentic way for guests to immerse themselves in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a festival of sport, culture and entertainment, and an opportunity for locals to open their homes and boost their income. Families are living through one of the hardest cost of living crises for decades. On Airbnb, the vast majority of Hosts share only one listing and nearly a third of those say it’s an economic lifeline (1). The value of being able to rent space in a home to supplement income is more valuable than ever.

UK Hosts typically earned more than £6,000 on Airbnb last year (2), which is around two months extra pay for the median UK household (3). During the two weeks of COP26 last year alone, Glaswegians earned an average of £3,000 through hosting.

“Birmingham 2022 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the West Midlands and what better way for visitors to experience the region than sharing the home of a local. This festival of sport gives local families the chance to boost their income, as many battle one of the most difficult cost of living crises in decades. Since its conception, Airbnb has helped local families afford their homes, and helped cities meet surges in demand around major events, and we are excited to partner with the Games and West Midlands Growth Company to help make Birmingham 2022 a success.”

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb

“We are proud to welcome Airbnb to our sponsor family, as the Official Hosting Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Airbnb is a world-renowned brand known for bringing people together from across the world – so what could be more fitting for a Games that connects every corner of the Commonwealth.

“This partnership gives locals every opportunity to earn extra income this summer, while giving visitors a genuine chance to experience the Games amongst the wonderful people of the region.”

David Grady, Chief Financial Officer at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

“With more than a million people from all over the world expected to visit Birmingham and the West Midlands over the course of the Commonwealth Games later this summer, I am delighted that Airbnb has come onboard as the Official Hosting Provider for Birmingham 2022.

“This move means that as well as locals having the opportunity to earn additional income through home sharing, visitors will also get to experience our great region in an even more authentic and connected way.

“Birmingham and the West Midlands is excited about offering both athletes and visitors a unique and one-of-a-kind Games, and this partnership is testament to that.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands

“We are delighted to partner with Airbnb as they become the Official Hosting Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. As the start of the Games quickly approaches, having a reputable online hosting service like Airbnb on board means all visitors to Birmingham and the West Midlands will have the opportunity to experience the Games in the most comfortable and original way possible – while also bringing fantastic benefits for local hosts.”

Katie Sadleir, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation

The partnership comes as Airbnb last month unveiled its Healthy Tourism Commitment for the sustainable recovery of tourism in the UK. This includes a commitment to help spread tourism and its benefits to more communities in the UK and help accelerate the recovery, particularly in urban areas where the Government isn’t expecting tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2025 (4). Events such as Birmingham 2022 were identified by the Government as important catalysts to help the recovery in urban areas.

For anyone interested in sharing their home with guests, Airbnb has made it easier than ever to get started. To find out more about hosting on Airbnb, visit airbnb.com/Birmingham2022 

Hosts have full control over their listing, including the price they set, and globally last year, half of all new listings received a booking within five days of activation. For additional peace of mind, every Host on Airbnb is protected for free by AirCover, which includes up to $1 million Host liability insurance, $1 million in Host damage protection, and pet damage protection for all pet friendly Hosts.

Are you passionate about hosting on Airbnb and interested in bringing hosts together in Birmingham during the Commonwealth Games? We’re looking for someone to lead our local Birmingham Host Club and bring Hosts together to connect, collaborate, and share their experiences of hosting through the games. Apply today here.