The FIFA World Cup is expected to have a bigger financial impact on Airbnb listings than any other major sporting event held in the United States, as Miami prepares to welcome thousands of visitors in the coming weeks.
Read more ‘I played dead’: Survivor clashes with defense in trial for 2024 Fort Lauderdale shooting
Although it is still too early to determine exactly how many travelers will arrive, early projections already point to a significant economic boost for local hosts. An Airbnb calculator estimates that some hosts could earn as much as $9,000 in just over a month, highlighting the scale of demand tied to the global tournament.
For many visitors, South Florida offers what hosts describe as a slice of paradise.
“People asking about the house, what’s it close to? What can they do from the house?” said Dally Duran, an Airbnb host. “There’s definitely interest. There are questions about how far it is from the stadium.”
This growing curiosity marks a shift from the region’s typical summer trends. Historically, the warmer months tend to be slower for tourism in South Florida, largely due to the heat.
Duran, who has been hosting for a decade, says that pattern has been consistent over the years.
“Historically, for me, June has been at like a 30% occupancy,” she explained. “I’ve seen less, I’ve seen a little bit more. The hotter it gets, the less people want to come here. So July and August, typically we see almost no bookings, maybe 20 percent in July, 10 percent in August.”
However, the World Cup is expected to disrupt that trend.
According to a Deloitte report, Miami alone could see about 31,000 visitors staying in Airbnb properties during the tournament, a number that reflects both international demand and the city’s role as a host destination.
“A Deloitte report signals that we expect an average of 3,000 dollars per host,” said Jordi Torres, Airbnb regional director. “We are very excited about this economic opportunity. We know from our hosts that they use this money to make ends meet.”
As demand rises, pricing remains a key concern. To prevent sharp increases during the World Cup, Airbnb says expanding the number of available listings is essential.
That effort is already underway through a targeted campaign to recruit more hosts. As part of the initiative, the company is offering a 750 dollar bonus to new hosts who list their property and secure a booking before July 31.
Read more Prominent realtor and daughters killed in apparent murder-suicide in Doral
“More than 100,000 new homes have joined the platform since we started outreach last October,” Torres said. “This has helped us maintain very healthy pricing. The vast majority of listings remain below $500 a night.”
Even with those preparations, booking activity has not yet reached its peak. Still, hosts say that is typical for major international events.
“There are two types of travelers,” Duran explained. “The ones that plan ahead and book as quickly as possible, and the ones who wait until the last minute. We are used to seeing a lot of last-minute bookings here.”
She added that many visitors may be waiting to see how the tournament unfolds before finalizing their travel plans.
“With this being such a unique global event, I think they are waiting to see the later stage matches and what happens there,” she said.
As anticipation continues to build, both Airbnb and local hosts are emphasizing the importance of following community guidelines during the event.
The platform maintains a strict policy against parties or large gatherings that could disturb neighbors, and those rules will not be relaxed during the World Cup.
For guests considering watch gatherings, hosts recommend reaching out in advance to ensure plans are approved and to avoid any issues.
With summer approaching and the World Cup just around the corner, Miami is poised to turn what is typically a slower season into a period of strong economic activity, driven by global travel and heightened demand for short-term rentals.
Read more FAA investigating close call between JetBlue plane and aircraft near Fort Lauderdale