Airbnb and FIFA have announced a major partnership spanning three tournaments, which is set to deliver unforgettable travel experiences to fans, alongside economic opportunities for local communities and valuable support for Host Cities.

During the three-year collaboration, Airbnb will serve as an Official Partner for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, an  Official Supporter for the FIFA World Cup 26 in North America and an Official Supporter for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in the Americas. In addition, Airbnb will offer Official Fan Accommodation on its platform globally for these three flagship FIFA tournaments.

“The World Cup brings the world together — and so do we. Airbnb is proud to partner with FIFA to offer fans once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the tournaments—while welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and driving meaningful economic impact for local communities.”
Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO

“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. ” added FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“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.”

The FIFA Club World Cup ball sits outside of Subaru Park before the game between the Philadelphia Union and the Orlando City 

Across the partnership, Airbnb will offer fans new ways to celebrate their passion for the game through travel, culture and connection. In addition to choosing from a wide range of affordable, high quality places to stay, guests can now explore Airbnb Experiences led by locals that spotlight regional traditions, hidden gems and the spirit of the Host Cities. From immersive cultural activities to opportunities to engage with football legends and experts through Airbnb Originals, Airbnb will help fans create unforgettable memories that go far beyond the matches.

Cobi Jones, World Cup qualifier between USA and El Salvador, 2004.

Along with the thousands of experiences already available on the platform, starting today, fans can join a private training session with American goalkeeping star Tim Howardwatch a FIFA Club World Cup game in the stands alongside Howard’s fellow US national-team player Cobi Jones or get behind the scenes with an in-depth pre-match analysis session hosted by a senior expert on FIFA’s Technical Study Group.

These are available to book now. Many more experiences will be released ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

Tim Howard of the United States in action during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. 

“Football has the power to bring people together in unforgettable ways,” said Tim Howard, one of the greatest American players of all time and host of an Airbnb Experience.

“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.”

PORTLAND, OR – JUNE 20: General view of Thorns fans cheering after a goal during a game between Kansas City and Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park on June 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

With less than a year now to go until the FIFA World Cup 26, the global excitement continues to build, with a record number of fans expected to travel to support their teams. According to a Deloitte study over 380,000 Airbnb guests alone are expected to travel for next year’s showpiece event, including more than 150,000 from the United States.

Airbnb’s partnership with FIFA for the FIFA World Cup 26 represents an unprecedented opportunity for local communities. According to Deloitte, Airbnb stays during the FIFA World Cup 26 are expected to contribute USD 3.6 billion to Host City economies.

Aerial view during the Costa Rica FIFA Women’s World Cup football team training at Nga Puna Wai on July 14, 2023 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Across the 16 Host Cities, Airbnb hosts could earn up to USD 210 million, highlighting the significant economic opportunities created by hosting during major events.

Former US national team player Cobi Jones juggles a ball on the new test pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on March 13, 2025. 

Furthermore, Airbnb will contribute to broader local economic development by generating an estimated equivalent of nearly 34,000 full-time jobs over the course of 2026. Airbnb stays drive widespread economic impact by dispersing tourism-related expenditure into local coffee shops, restaurants and small businesses in neighborhoods that often lack traditional tourist infrastructure. This critical investment in communities creates lasting benefits that will extend beyond the three forthcoming tournaments.

“I’m proud to support Houston—the city I’ve called home for the past seven years—in welcoming a surge of visitors from around the world for the FIFA World Cup. By showcasing our local culture and hospitality, including steering guests to Houston’s culinary mashups—think melt‑in‑your‑mouth brisket tacos and Asian‑inspired barbecue—I can play my part in ensuring that the economic benefits of this once‑in‑a‑lifetime event are felt across the entire Houston community.” said Airbnb host Sébastien Long.

US national team, Tim Howard is photographed for Sports Illustrated on May 24, 2014 in Palo Alto, California.  Alexis Cuarezma/Sports Illustrated via Contour by Getty Images. (Photo by Alexis Cuarezma SI/Contour by Getty Images)

Airbnb will also implement the Airbnb Host City Impact Program, a separate, targeted $5 million investment for the FIFA World Cup 26. Airbnb’s dedicated community support program will involve collaborating with cities to fund select initiatives that foster economic growth and enhance the overall event experience for residents and visitors alike.

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THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY

Sandra Bernardo

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