In 2026, North America will host the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious football tournament in the world. Football fans will gather across the continent, in three countries and 16 spectacular Host Cities, for what is set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup yet.
The last FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar in 2022. A total of 3.4 million football fans attended the tournament, and over 5 billion more followed it in the media.
The next World Cup span three countries, but it will also be the first to feature 48 teams and include a record-breaking 104 matches, instead of the traditional 64.
A Surge in Investment and International Visitors
As host to the largest FIFA World Cup tournament ever, North America—specifically the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—can expect an unprecedented number of international visitors throughout June and July when the tournament is due to take place. Capital investment is pouring into local infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality as the 16 Host Cities prepare to accommodate much larger crowds.
Chosen to host the most popular sporting event on the planet, this is a unique opportunity for the cities to attract a high level of investment and establish themselves on the world stage.
As fans flood in from around the world, the Host Cities will also benefit from positive cash flows in tourism. Demand for short-stay rental accommodation will be particularly high—which is fantastic news for investors with rental or Airbnb property in these areas.
Overall, the upcoming World Cup in North America is expected to generate $5 billion in economic activity and create around 400,000 jobs.
Which Cities Will Host the FIFA World Cup in 2026?
Eleven cities in the U.S. have been selected to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver will host the tournament. Meanwhile, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey will wave the flag for Mexico.
Mexico City is the only capital to feature in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Having hosted both the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, its long-standing Estadio Azteca stadium will welcome players back to the field in 2026.
FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani said:
I look forward with great anticipation to continuing to work with all of the Host Cities, the team at FIFA and the many important stakeholders involved in delivering what will be the biggest and most inclusive World Cup ever.
How Sporting Events Drive Airbnb Demand
World sporting events are a major driver in the demand for short-stay rental accommodation, particularly Airbnb. An incredible 44% of Airbnb hosts around the world say they have hosted guests travelling for a sporting event. And this rises to 55% in the United States.
Over the years, the online holiday home marketplace has helped alleviate some of the pressure which huge events place on local infrastructure. Without the platform, many destinations simply wouldn’t be able to meet the soaring demand for accommodation. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Airbnb hosts welcomed almost 300,000 guests and earned a collective income of $40 million in just one month.
Hosts not only benefit from high occupancy levels, but also a surge in nightly rates. During last year’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar, the average monthly price for an Airbnb home jumped by 112%—from $34,106 in September, to $72,396 in the month of the tournament.
Miami: A Unique Opportunity for Investors
Miami has a long sporting legacy with a history of professional football dating back to the 1960s. Impressively, it has hosted the Super Bowl 11 times, more than any other city. It is home to championship-winning teams and world-famous annual events like the Miami Open. Several famous players even have Miami residences, such as David Beckham, Lionel Messi, and Serena Williams.
Miami is one of the Host Cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and this is a great opportunity for investors to own an Airbnb condo in the city. Fans from all over the world will be travelling to Miami to watch the games, meaning Airbnb owners can expect very high occupancy levels and to charge very high prices for their condos.
For those that would like to capitalise on this opportunity, we have several Airbnb-eligible projects in Miami. 600 Miami Worldcenter offers unrestricted short-term rentals, whilst Lofty Brickell allows you to host your apartment on over 50 short let services. To discuss investment opportunities in Miami with one of our property consultants, get in touch today.
Contact us today for available properties in North America.
