Atlanta Homeowners Gear Up for World Cup Rental Demand

Airbnb offers $750 incentive for new hosts in Atlanta ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Atlanta, homeowners in the city are preparing to rent out their homes to the influx of expected tourists. Airbnb is offering a $750 incentive for new hosts in Atlanta and other host cities to list their homes and welcome guests by July 31.

Why it matters

The World Cup is expected to bring over 200,000 tourists to the Atlanta metro area, creating a high demand for short-term rentals and accommodation. This presents an opportunity for local homeowners to earn extra income by renting out their homes, but also raises questions about housing availability and affordability for residents during the event.

The details

One Atlanta family in the Westview neighborhood plans to move out for a month to rent their home to World Cup spectators. Airbnb is offering the $750 incentive to new hosts who list their homes and welcome their first guest by July 31. To qualify, hosts must be new to the platform or have had no active listings as of February 1. Airbnb estimates 6,000 World Cup visitors will stay in Airbnbs across the Atlanta metro area.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in June-July 2026.
  • The $750 Airbnb incentive for new Atlanta hosts is available for listings that welcome their first guest by July 31, 2026.

The players

Myles Maxey

An Atlanta homeowner in the Westview neighborhood who plans to rent out his home during the World Cup.

Dave Stephenson

Airbnb's chief business officer, who announced the company's new host incentive program for World Cup host cities.

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What they’re saying

“We're thinking what else can we do to generate income but also support Atlanta because we have this big beautiful house, and then that's when we came up with the idea to list the house for rent during the World Cup.”

— Myles Maxey (CBS News)

“As the world's biggest sporting event comes to North America, Airbnb is launching its biggest new host incentive ever. Demand for World Cup stays on Airbnb is surging, giving residents of host cities the opportunity to boost their incomes by sharing their homes and the communities they love.”

— Dave Stephenson, Airbnb Chief Business Officer (CBS News)

What’s next

Airbnb will continue to promote the $750 incentive for new Atlanta hosts ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and monitor demand for short-term rentals in the city. Local officials will also need to address concerns about housing availability and affordability for residents during the event.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Cup presents a lucrative opportunity for Atlanta homeowners to earn extra income by renting out their homes, but also raises questions about the impact on the local housing market. Airbnb's new host incentive program aims to encourage more residents to list their properties and meet the expected surge in demand for short-term rentals.