Airbnb, an online platform that allows property owners, or hosts, to rent accommodations to travelers, has announced a three-year global partnership with FIFA, covering the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in the Americas.
As an official partner and supporter, Airbnb will provide official fan accommodation as well as customised experiences that link fans to local culture and communities.
Airbnb, Chief Executive Officer, Brian Chesky, commented, “The World Cup brings the world together – and so do we. Airbnb is proud to collaborate with FIFA to offer fans once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the tournaments, while welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests during the FIFA World Cup 26 and producing a meaningful economic impact for local communities.”
Fans will get access to special Airbnb Experiences, such as private training with US goalkeeping icon Tim Howard, match-day experiences with Cobi Jones, and expert-led tactical lessons through Airbnb Originals. These will make their debut during the Club World Cup 2025, which begins on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with further offers planned for the next two events.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Airbnb to FIFA, and we’re thrilled that it is taking on such a key role in the three groundbreaking tournaments coming up. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a defining competition for generations to come and will reshape global club football. Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup 26 will be the biggest tournament in history, with 48 national teams competing across three host nations. Then, one year later, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in South America for the first time. Having a travel leader such as Airbnb by our side is special. Together, we’ll continue to see football unite the world.”
With a record number of spectators expected to attend FIFA World Cup 2026, a Deloitte research commissioned by Airbnb predicts over 380,000 Airbnb guest arrivals, producing an estimated USD 3.6 billion in economic effect across 16 Host Cities. Hosts might earn up to USD 210 million, and the activity is estimated to sustain over 34,000 full-time employment.
Airbnb will create a USD 5 million Host City Impact Program aimed at promoting economic growth and improving the event experience for both tourists and residents. The partnership’s goal is to leave a lasting legacy by expanding tourist advantages to neighborhoods outside typical locations.
Howard, one of the greatest American players of all time and host of an exclusive Airbnb Experience, said, “Soccer has the power to bring people together in unforgettable ways. Partnering with Airbnb and FIFA to offer the experience of a private training session has been incredibly special. It’s a chance to share my love for the game and connect with fans in a hands-on, meaningful way. They won’t just be watching from the stands: they’ll step onto the pitch, get a behind-the-scenes look at pro training and experience the sport from a whole new perspective.”
