2026 World Cup Accommodations in High Demand
The 2026 World Cup is six months away, and with matchups for Dallas-Fort Worth’s five group stage games set, fans are booking their stays in North Texas. The local Airbnb market was already simmering in the days leading up to the World Cup draw last Friday, and demand nearly doubled after the fact, according to Dec. 10 data from short-term rental analytics provider AirDNA.
“This is something of an unprecedented event. This is probably the biggest short-term rental event that’s happened in the United States, period,” said Bram Gallagher, AirDNA’s director of economics, of the World Cup.
High Demand for Accommodations
The most in-demand day in North Texas is June 17, when AT&T Stadium (temporarily Dallas Stadium) will host England and Croatia at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The night before the game is the second most in-demand day.
Demand for each day has surpassed 1,000 bookings, and occupancy sits at 14%, meaning about one-seventh of local Airbnbs are already booked for those days. Gallagher explained that while they won’t have visitors’ location data until after the World Cup, signs point to bookings coming from far and wide.
International Interest
In terms of courting international travelers, Dallas drew a good hand when the group stage schedule was announced Saturday. Two games feature defending champion Argentina, the home country of soccer icon Lionel Messi. According to AirDNA, more Argentinians booked short-term rental stays during past World Cups than any country outside North America.
Fans of England and Croatia are also unsurprisingly avid, leading to demand for June 16 and 17 Airbnbs. England is the fourth-ranked FIFA team entering the tournament, and soccer’s immense popularity there (80% of U.K. sports fans say they follow soccer, a 50-point lead over any other sport, per Statista) is supported by the English Premier League.
Language and Travel
Outside of soccer, England shares a language with the U.S., easing travel, and is a relatively short flight across the pond. Both the U.K. and Croatia are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Visa Waiver Program.
Airbnb Prices
Still, while demand has surged, local Airbnb prices have held steady from what they were pre-draw, even with marquee matchups like England-Croatia on the schedule. For one, prices for available Airbnbs before the draw were already around $400 a night, a premium on prices for the same days last summer.
“Dallas and Fort Worth are, of course, well-stocked with hotel rooms, as well. So I think that short-term rental operators have to be very conscious of that,” Gallagher added.
Future Bookings
With demand for World Cup stays already surging, local Airbnbs could fill up even sooner, and prices are unlikely to drop. “The draw was pretty positive for Dallas-Fort Worth,” Gallagher said. “There’d be no reason to mark it down.”
FIFA introduced dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning ticket prices change based on demand.
Starting January, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention will serve as FIFA’s media center
Just in time for FIFA World Cup matches in Dallas-Fort Worth? Kinda.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2026 World Cup is expected to bring a surge in demand for accommodations in Dallas-Fort Worth, with many fans already booking their stays. The local Airbnb market is experiencing high demand, with prices holding steady despite the increased interest. With the tournament still six months away, it’s likely that prices will continue to rise as the event approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most in-demand day for Airbnb bookings in North Texas?
A: The most in-demand day in North Texas is June 17, when AT&T Stadium will host England and Croatia.
