Airbnb teams up with FIFA for three World Cups and global fan stays

MUMBAI: Fans won’t just be travelling for the beautiful game, they’ll be checking in for it too. In a landmark move that blends football fever with hospitality hustle, Airbnb and FIFA have announced a three-year global partnership across three blockbuster tournaments: the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, FIFA World Cup 26, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. Airbnb will serve as Official Fan Accommodation across all events with perks that include booking fan experiences, stadium adventures, and even one-on-one training with football legends like Tim Howard.

From Dolby Atmos goal celebrations in Miami to melt-in-your-mouth brisket tacos in Houston, this tie-up isn’t just about beds, it’s about bringing the soul of the Host City to the fan’s front door.

“The World Cup brings the world together and so do we,” said Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, adding that the partnership will help create “once-in-a-lifetime experiences” for fans while fuelling local economies.

With fans expected to flood the 16 host cities of the FIFA World Cup 26, a Deloitte study estimates that over 380,000 Airbnb guests will contribute nearly 3.6 billion dollars to local economies. Hosts alone could rake in up to 210 million dollars, with Airbnb’s stays projected to support the equivalent of 34,000 full-time jobs through 2026.

The collaboration will also see Airbnb roll out a 5 million dollars Host City Impact Fund, supporting local initiatives and enhancing the visitor experience through targeted investments in community infrastructure.

Football meets fandom in a more literal way too Airbnb is offering original fan experiences like watching matches with Cobi Jones, dissecting tactics with FIFA’s Technical Study Group, or suiting up for a private goalkeeping session with Tim Howard. All these are bookable during the Club World Cup 2025, kicking off 14 June at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.

With 89 per cent of fans worldwide planning to travel for matches, Airbnb’s bet on blending the love of sport with the love of stay is shaping up to be a golden goal.

Or in this case, maybe a golden guest room.