Airbnb is projecting that around 17,000 visitors will book its rentals during the FIFA World Cup 2026, creating what it estimates to be $167 million in regional economic impact, write Alex Barreira and Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
These visits are expected to generate 126,000 room nights throughout Greater Philadelphia during the six World Cup matches planned for Lincoln Financial Field. According to the report, direct guest spending should reach about $52 million, while additional indirect and induced spending will likely push the total impact to roughly $167 million.
The 17,000 projected visitors make up only a fraction of the 149,000 tourists the report anticipates will travel to Philadelphia and require lodging during the World Cup.
Airbnb guests are expected to spend around $109 per night on their stays and put about $411 toward transport. Local Airbnb hosts are projected to earn close to $1,900 per visit, which will average about $160 per night.
Additionally, the World Cup will have a long-term impact on local tourism, as, according to FIFA, 65 percent of World Cup visitors will often make a return visit to see the host cities after the competition has concluded.
Read more about Airbnb’s expectations for Philadelphia during the FIFA World Cup in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA.Today in December 2025.
