Airbnb is incentivizing people to open up their homes this summer to FIFA World Cup visitors, offering $750 to new hosts in Seattle and other cities hosting soccer matches.
The short-term rental platform says millions of fans are expected to attend the tournament across 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, June 11 – July 19. Officials expect an estimated 750,000 people to visit Seattle during that period, and Airbnb says its hosts will welcome 23,000 guests in the city.
Airbnb says Seattle hosts could earn roughly $3,800 by renting space during the tournament. Searches for Airbnb accommodations in host cities have jumped by an average of 80% compared to the same period last year, the company said Wednesday.
A new host sign-up page provides details about how to publish a listing and terms related to reservations. Eligible zip codes in Seattle are also listed.
Airbnb is also hosting a workshop in Seattle on Thursday for interested property hosts. The afternoon event at RailSpur in Pioneer Square (419 Occidental Ave. S.) will include strategies to boost visibility and secure bookings during the FIFA World Cup; best practices in pricing, calendar management, and guest communication; tips on catering to international fans; insights from Airbnb managers; and networking with fellow Seattle hosts.
Visit Seattle projects nearly $1 billion will be generated for King County over the six matches played at Seattle’s Lumen Field between June and July. The projection includes more than $100 million in direct state and local tax revenue and the creation of more than 20,000 full-time and part-time jobs.
A bill to tax short-term rentals returned to the Washington State Legislature this session and failed to advance again. The legislation sought to allow counties, cities and towns to impose a tax of up to 4% on short-term rentals used by vacation guests on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. The bill also failed to advance during the 2025 session.
