Property owners set to benefit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In the so-called tri-state area, the demand for accommodation ahead of the matches at MetLife Stadium is driving a dramatic increase in prices and yields. According to Bobby Roufaeal, founder of Settled In Property Management, a luxury residence in New Jersey can generate up to $240,000 during the tournament (June 11 – July 19), with prices already having tripled.

This trend is also reflected in Airbnb listings, where high-end properties reach rates of up to $6,000 per night. For example, a six-bedroom home in Princeton, New Jersey, has seen a 140% price increase compared to last year, despite being over an hour away from the stadium.

The prospect of high returns is attracting new “players” to the market. Homeowners are reportedly willing to temporarily vacate their properties—moving in with relatives or to alternative accommodations—to capitalize on the opportunity and earn substantial income. Airbnb itself is encouraging supply by offering financial incentives of up to $750 for new hosts.

At the same time, the increased tourist flow—with millions of visitors expected in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—is affecting the hospitality sector overall. Hotel prices are estimated to rise by as much as 300% during the tournament period, further increasing the overall cost for fans attending the matches.

This pressure is already prompting adjustments on the demand side. Mehdi Salem, head of the French fan club Les Baroudeurs du Sport, is forced to reduce accommodation costs for the club’s 80 members by:

• Booking overcrowded rooms (up to 8 people instead of 4),
• Making reservations far in advance,
• Relocating to more distant areas such as the Bronx, Queens, or less popular neighborhoods in New Jersey.

Data from the AirDNA platform confirms the intensity of demand: areas such as Montclair have recorded a 169% increase in short-term rental occupancy compared to last year, with similar trends observed in cities like Clifton, Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City.

Despite the surge in luxury property rates, Airbnb notes that approximately 80% of available accommodations remain below $500 per night on average, indicating that more affordable options still exist—albeit with increased pressure on availability.

Overall, the 2026 World Cup serves as a powerful catalyst for the short-term rental market, creating significant revenue opportunities while also intensifying supply-demand imbalances. The question that arises for the post-tournament period concerns the sustainability of these returns and the extent to which the market will return to more normal levels once the event concludes.