Fans heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be able to secure match tickets without going through FIFA’s often competitive and expensive ticketing system.

Airbnb announced last week that select rentals across all 16 World Cup host cities will include free match tickets as part of a stay.

“Airbnb hosts don’t just offer you a place to stay—they provide a more authentic way to experience a destination,” said Dave Stephenson, chief business officer of Airbnb, in a statement. “And this World Cup, they’re doing something extraordinary: helping fans follow their teams wherever the tournament takes them, with select homes including free tickets in every host city.”

The promotion, which runs throughout the tournament in June and July, allows travelers to bundle accommodation and stadium access in a single booking, but availability is limited and not every listing qualifies.

Why It Matters

World Cup tickets have long been difficult to secure and can cost hundreds of dollars, or in some cases thousands, depending on demand and the stage of the tournament.

Airbnb’s offer effectively bundles one of the tournament’s biggest barriers, tickets, with lodging, potentially giving travelers a shortcut into sold-out or high-demand matches.

While the World Cup is expected to drive tourism, earlier data suggested demand for hotels and short-term rentals has been uneven and, in some cities, below expectations. As a result, free tickets may be used to stimulate bookings in slower markets.

What To Know

Airbnb began offering free FIFA World Cup tickets with select bookings on June 10, but the deal applies only to eligible listings, not all homes.

Participating rentals are spread across all 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and guests can search listings during June and July, covering the entire tournament window.

“I grew up playing soccer—it’s been part of my life since I could walk. Getting to share that love of the game with guests, and actually get them into a World Cup match, is something I never could have imagined when I first listed my home on Airbnb. This is what hosting is all about.” Federico Zimmerman, an Airbnb host in Dallas, Texas, said.

Airbnb said it will distribute more than 1,300 tickets through the program.

Listings that include tickets are marked by a soccer ball icon, and each guest in the booking is eligible to receive a ticket once the reservation is confirmed.

Airbnb is also promoting World Cup-related “experiences,” including events with former players, though those offerings are separate from the ticket-included stays.

What Is the Average Cost of a World Cup Ticket?

Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup vary widely based on the match and seating category.

• Entry-level tickets can start around $60 for group-stage matches
• Knockout-stage games typically range from about $100 to over $1,000
• Final tickets can climb into the thousands of dollars, with some estimates exceeding $6,000

Because FIFA uses dynamic pricing, actual costs can fluctuate significantly depending on demand, the teams involved and the host city.

This means Airbnb’s bundled offer may appeal to travelers looking for more predictable pricing.

How to Get Free World Cup Tickets Through Airbnb

According to Airbnb’s press release, travelers can search for stays in a World Cup host city on match dates and look for listings marked with a soccer ball icon to see if World Cup tickets are included with the booking.

From there, customers should complete the booking as normal and will receive ticket access details from the host after confirmation.

Tickets are included for each guest in the booking, up to the listing’s occupancy limit.

Bookings are being released in phases tied to tournament stages, from the group rounds through the final. So far, the prices for eligible homes average about $385 per night, though rates vary by city and property, Airbnb said.

Hotels, Airbnbs Falling Short of Bookings for the World Cup

Despite expectations of a tourism boom, early data suggested the World Cup’s impact on accommodations has been uneven.

About 80 percent of hotels in host cities reported occupancy below initial forecasts, according to a survey from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

In Philadelphia, rooms remained available around match dates, with some bookings not meeting expectations.

“Some places are doing very, very well, and some places are seeing marginal benefits,” said Bram Gallagher, AirDNA’s director of economics and forecasting, as reported by Vista Today this month.

Roughly 60 percent of Philadelphia-area Airbnbs and Vrbos will be occupied on game days, while in May, fewer than half had been booked, according to data from AirDNA.

Newsweek reached out to Airbnb and Vrbo for comment via email.

A spokesperson for Airbnb told Newsweek that the company announced its FIFA partnership a year ago, and the plans have been in the works long before tickets became available.

"At its core, the program is about hosts offering fans a chance to get to the World Cup and follow their teams, from start to finish," the company spokesperson said.

What Happens Next

Airbnb did not say the ticket promotion was tied to slower-than-expected bookings. However, the timing of launching just as the tournament begins and the earlier reports of uneven demand mean the incentives could be being used to attract last-minute travelers.

For Airbnb customers looking to score a free World Cup ticket, availability remains limited and competition for eligible listings is likely high.