Airbnb Offers $750 Incentive for New Bay Area Hosts During FIFA World Cup

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Airbnb is offering a $750 incentive to new Bay Area hosts who list their entire homes on the platform and host their first guests by July 31, 2026. The company says demand for short-term rentals in World Cup host cities has surged by an average of 80% compared to last year, and the extra income could help local residents afford basic living costs.

Why it matters

With the FIFA World Cup coming to the Bay Area, Airbnb is looking to boost its inventory of short-term rental properties to meet the expected surge in demand from soccer fans traveling to the region. The $750 incentive is part of Airbnb's "biggest new host incentive program ever" and could provide a financial boost for local residents looking to earn extra income.

The details

The $750 incentive is available to new Airbnb hosts or those without active listings as of February 1, 2026. Hosts must list their entire home and have their first guests check out by July 31, 2026. Airbnb says the average rental income for hosts during the World Cup is estimated at $3,000. The incentive is being offered in all 16 "event zones" where World Cup games will be played, including 135 zip codes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

• The FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
• Six matches will be held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California from June 13 to July 1, 2026.
• New Airbnb hosts must host their first guests by July 31, 2026 to be eligible for the $750 incentive.

What’s next

Eligible Bay Area residents can sign up to become new Airbnb hosts and list their entire homes on the platform to take advantage of the $750 incentive before the July 31, 2026 deadline.