Airbnb Offers Free World Cup Tickets with Select Rentals

Fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup have a fresh opportunity to secure tickets without navigating FIFA’s typically competitive ticketing system. Last week, Airbnb announced that select rentals in all 16 host cities will include complimentary match tickets as part of a stay.

Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s chief business officer, explained, “Airbnb hosts don’t just provide a place to stay—they offer a more authentic way to experience a destination.” With this promotion, some hosts are offering free tickets, making it easier for fans to follow their teams during the tournament.

The promotion, effective throughout June and July, enables travelers to bundle accommodation and access to matches in a single booking. However, not all listings include tickets, and availability is limited.

Why World Cup Tickets Matter

World Cup tickets have traditionally been hard to obtain and can be expensive, costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on demand and the match stage. Airbnb’s bundled offer is a potential shortcut into sold-out or high-demand games.

Earlier data suggested uneven demand for accommodations, particularly in some host cities. Including free match tickets may help stimulate bookings in slower markets.

Booking Details

• Airbnb began offering free tickets on June 10.
• The promotion applies to eligible listings across U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
• Guests can search listings for June and July during the entire tournament period.

An example is Federico Zimmerman, an Airbnb host in Dallas who has passionately shared his love for the game with guests, offering them World Cup tickets.

Airbnb aims to distribute over 1,300 tickets through this program. Listings with tickets are marked with a soccer ball icon and each guest in a booking can receive a ticket once the reservation is confirmed.

The company is also promoting World Cup-related experiences, including events with former players, which are separate from the ticket-included stays.

World Cup Ticket Costs

Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup depend on match and seating category:

• Group-stage tickets can start around $60.
• Knockout-stage prices range from about $100 to over $1,000.
• Final tickets may exceed $6,000.

FIFA’s dynamic pricing means actual costs fluctuate based on demand, teams, and host city. This makes Airbnb’s bundled offer appealing for travelers seeking predictable pricing.

Booking Process

Travelers can search for stays in a host city on match dates, look for listings marked with a soccer ball icon, and complete the booking as usual. Ticket access details are provided post-confirmation. Each guest in the booking receives a ticket, up to the listing’s occupancy limit.

Bookings are released in phases aligned with tournament stages, from group rounds to finals. Currently, rates for eligible homes average $385 per night, varying by city and property.

Accommodation Booking Rates

About 80% of hotels in host cities have reported occupancy below initial forecasts. Philadelphia, for example, showed available rooms around match dates with bookings below expectations. Some areas are thriving, while others see marginal increases in bookings.

Data from AirDNA shows roughly 60% of Philadelphia’s Airbnbs and Vrbos are occupied on game days. In May, fewer than half had been booked.

An Airbnb spokesperson noted the company’s FIFA partnership was announced a year ago, emphasizing that the program allows hosts to offer fans a chance to engage fully with the World Cup.

Looking Ahead

Although Airbnb did not explicitly link its ticket promotion to slower bookings, its timing as the tournament starts may imply incentives are in place to attract last-minute travelers. For Airbnb customers aiming for a free World Cup ticket, availability remains scarce, and competition for eligible listings is likely intense.