Airbnb warns LA of 'doomsday' ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Short-term rental giant demands city end rules banning second homeowners from letting out properties during tournament

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm

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Airbnb has issued a doomsday letter to Los Angeles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, demanding the city end rules banning second homeowners from letting out their properties as vacation rentals during the tournament. The company claims this would lead to an explosion in available properties and add over $100 million in taxes to the local government. Airbnb says searches for stays in FIFA World Cup host cities, including Los Angeles, are up an average of 80% compared to the same time last year, while a Deloitte study found an Airbnb host in LA can make up to $5,100 for the week during the event.

Why it matters

The letter highlights the tension between Airbnb's desire to capitalize on the surge in demand for short-term rentals during major events like the World Cup, and the city's concerns about housing shortages and the impact of vacation rentals on local communities. The proposal to allow more second homes to be used as vacation rentals is a political battleground between tourism boosters and housing activists.

The details

Airbnb's letter was backed by a coalition of businesses and called for the city to implement the 'Vacation Rental Revenue Plan', which supporters say would unleash thousands of new rooms across LA during the World Cup and bring $110 million a year in tax revenue. However, the city has been slow to move on the proposal, arguing LA is facing a housing shortage, particularly when it comes to affordable housing and housing for the homeless.

  • Airbnb's letter was sent to the LA City Council in March 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • The Vacation Rental Revenue Plan first surfaced in 2018 but later expired under council rules before being revived.

The players

Airbnb

A short-term renting company that has issued a doomsday letter to Los Angeles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, demanding the city end rules banning second homeowners from letting out their properties as vacation rentals during the tournament.

Los Angeles City Council

The local government body that has been slow to move on Airbnb's proposal, arguing the city is facing a housing shortage.

Deloitte

A consulting firm that conducted a study finding an Airbnb host in Los Angeles can make up to $5,100 for the week during the FIFA World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“Los Angeles is set to welcome millions of visitors for global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, and short-term rentals will play an important role in helping the city accommodate that surge in demand.”

— Justin Wesson, Airbnb's senior policy manager

“City leaders cannot keep warning families and small businesses about cuts to essential services while overlooking a practical proposal that protects communities without taxing Angelenos.”

— Robert Sausedo, President and CEO of Community Build Inc.

What’s next

The proposal is expected to come up at the Planning and Land Use Management Committee meeting later this month, where supporters say it has sat for too long.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between Airbnb's desire to capitalize on major events like the World Cup, and the city's concerns about the impact of short-term rentals on housing affordability and availability. The outcome of this proposal could have significant implications for how Los Angeles manages the influx of visitors during global events while balancing the needs of its residents.