Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Airbnb Hosting Guide

Key Takeaways

Rarely has there been a better moment for Los Angeles short-term rental hosts to step into the spotlight. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to LA, bringing a massive wave of international visitors, sold-out matches, and weeks of elevated travel demand.

Hotels alone won’t be able to keep up, so Los Angeles short-term rentals have a chance to shine.

This is a prime opportunity to earn some serious income, whether you already run an Airbnb in Los Angeles, plan to rent out your home for the first time, or want to take advantage of the World Cup rush for just a few key nights.

This Airbnb hosting guide breaks down what you need to know to get ready, from local rules to listing tips to pricing, so you can host confidently and make the most of the World Cup while it’s here.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Snapshot: Los Angeles 

• Stadium: SoFi Stadium
• Location: Inglewood, just minutes from LAX Airport
• Capacity: 70,000 (expandable to 100,000 for marquee events)

Los Angeles will host eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at SoFi Stadium, including five group stage games, two knockout rounds, and a quarterfinal. The match slate features multiple appearances by Team USA and several top international teams.

Here’s the match schedule for Los Angeles:

• June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (Group D)
• June 15: IR Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G)
• June 18: Switzerland vs. European play-off winner (Group B)
• June 21: Belgium vs. IR Iran (Group G)
• June 25: USA vs. European play-off winner (Group D)
• June 28: Match 73 – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up
• July 2: Match 84 – Group H winners v Group J runners-up
• July 10: Quarterfinal

Los Angeles is expecting roughly 180,000 visitors during the tournament. We’ve already seen average booked rates spike 56% around the day of the opening USA vs. Paraguay match (and demand is highest among Colombian travelers, per Airbnb). As of mid-December 2025, more than 70% of short-term rental listings near the venue were already booked.

As vacancies fill and nightly rates climb, travelers are increasingly willing to stay farther from the stadium, creating massive opportunities for Airbnb hosts throughout the metro area. With match activity spread across several weeks and knockout rounds driving last-minute travel decisions, this is shaping up to be one of the city’s biggest tourism moments in years.

7 Steps to Get Ready for Airbnb Hosting During the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 

Here are some Airbnb hosting basics and key steps you should take to get you prepared to earn money in LA this summer.

1. Check Los Angeles Short-Term Rental Regulations

Before you list your place, you need to make sure you’re allowed to host. In Los Angeles, short-term rentals are legal but limited, and the city is more likely to enforce regulations during major events like the World Cup.

Most hosts are allowed to rent out:

• Their primary residence only,
• For stays of 30 nights or fewer,
• Up to 120 nights per year, unless approved for extended home-sharing.

To host legally, you’ll need to register with the city. Start the registration process by contacting the county’s Short-Term Rental Unit at (213) 974-2011 or [email protected]. 

A few reminders: 

• Renters generally can’t host without permission from their landlord.
• Some buildings or zoning areas prohibit short-term rentals entirely.
• If you live in a condo or HOA, be sure to review your bylaws before listing.

If you're not sure how to find rules for your specific area, our guide to local STR ordinances can get you started.

Note: Airbnb regulations in Los Angeles can change, so always confirm with official city sources before diving in.

2. Create Your Listing

You’ve got the green light to host and you’ve taken steps to get insured. Now it’s time to actually list your place.

Creating an Airbnb listing in Los Angeles is straightforward, but during a high-demand event like the World Cup, a few details can make a big difference in how quickly you book (and how much you earn).

Here’s how to set your listing up for success:

Decide if you’ll share your space or rent the whole home

For Los Angeles hosts, the World Cup presents two legal hosting options under primary residence rules: rent a private room while you stay home, or rent your entire home while you’re away. The right choice comes down to comfort level, availability, and how much income you want to capture during peak match weeks.

Renting a private room works best if you’ll be in LA and prefer a lighter lift. It appeals to solo travelers and short-stay guests, especially those attending a single match. This option requires less prep, avoids moving out, and still benefits from tournament-driven demand, particularly if your home is near transit or downtown.

Renting your entire home unlocks the biggest upside, especially during knockout rounds when group travel spikes. Entire homes near SoFi Stadium or transit centers tend to book earlier and at higher rates, but this option requires relocating temporarily, securing personal items, and planning for professional cleaning.

Some hosts plan to do both by renting a room during early matches, then switching to the full home as demand intensifies. Deciding your approach early allows you to open calendars confidently and adjust pricing as the tournament unfolds.

Take great photos

Listing photos are the first thing guests notice. Bright, clean, well-lit images go a long way. Show every room clearly, and if your place has easy access to SoFi Stadium, LAX, public transit, or major freeways, make that obvious. A well-staged, well-photographed space will always be one of the biggest booking drivers.

Write a clear title and description

Now’s your chance to really speak to your target guests: World Cup fans.

Don’t hesitate to use keywords like “World Cup” in your listing title. Highlight what matters most: Proximity to the stadium, transportation options, parking, space for groups, or a comfortable setup for watching matches at home. 

LA-based Airbnbs that cater to groups have a prime opportunity this summer: More than 15% of booked stays in host cities during the World Cup are by Gen Z travelers, and Los Angeles is one of the top 3 destinations for them. So if your place has group-friendly amenities—like three or more bedrooms, or a large shared space for gathering—make that clear in your listing title and description.

Need some inspiration? Check out our guides on how to write a great Airbnb title and host description.

Consider turning off Instant Book for World Cup dates

Usually, we recommend Instant Book because it helps guests book your property faster and keeps your host response rate high, which Airbnb’s ranking algorithm prefers. Instant Book properties also tend to have slightly higher occupancy and nightly rates than those without it.

But when you’re enjoying periods of high demand like during the Los Angeles World Cup dates, you don’t need to worry about snapping up every prospective guest. A little bit of friction during the booking experience won’t lose you business.

That said, you might want to screen guests before accepting a booking request during a high-energy event like this. Review profiles and ask a couple of questions so you feel confident about who’s staying in your home, especially if you’re hosting larger groups or welcoming guests into your primary residence.

Set your prices strategically 

With the World Cup in town, demand will rise quickly, and your nightly rate should reflect that. 

Airbnb’s Smart Pricing tool can be a helpful starting point, but it doesn’t always capture what guests are actually willing to pay during a major event like the World Cup. That’s where looking beyond default pricing really matters.

Reviewing comparable listings in your area (aka your comp set) will reveal how similar homes are priced around match dates. In the AirDNA app, you can filter by neighborhood, size, amenities, and distance to SoFi Stadium to get a baseline for what’s booked historically and at what rates. 

It’s also helpful to put yourselves in the shoes of a guest. Search Airbnb for accommodations in your city on match dates to better understand what kind of premium the World Cup is fetching on top of normal rates. 

For an even clearer picture, our World Cup Dashboard lets you track booking pace, rate changes, and occupancy across Los Angeles in real time. It’s one of the best ways to stay aligned with rising demand and adjust your Airbnb pricing strategy confidently as the tournament gets closer. We cover pricing in more detail in Step 6.

Set your cleaning fee

You can add your cleaning fee when setting up your listing. In Los Angeles, the average cleaning fee is $206, and the vast majority (92%) of hosts charge one. Properties with 4 or more bedrooms charge a cleaning fee that exceeds $300 on average.

During events like the World Cup, guests might be coming in groups and the atmosphere will be festive. You might expect a little extra cleanup around game days if guests are preparing food, watching from your home, or gathering with friends there after the match. Here’s how to add your cleaning fee on Airbnb.

Keep communication simple

Airbnb makes it easy to schedule quick replies. At a minimum, we recommend:

• A confirmation message after booking
• Check-in details a day or two before arrival
• A quick check-in message mid-stay 
• Clear checkout instructions

If you’re only planning to host during the tournament, these small touches will improve the whole experience for you and your guests.

3. Prepare Your Home for Guests

The efforts you make to give your guests the best possible experience will pay off. But there’s a happy medium between going full hotel mode and throwing some clean sheets on the bed and calling it a day.

Here are our recommendations to make sure your space is clean, comfy, and welcoming:

Set clear house rules

World Cup energy runs high. Be upfront about expectations around noise, extra guests, parties, and parking. If your neighborhood, HOA, or building has specific rules, include them clearly in your house manual and pre-arrival messages.

Secure your belongings

If you’re renting out your primary residence, lock away anything valuable, personal, or irreplaceable. Use a closet, cabinet, or locked room. If this is a dedicated rental, do a walkthrough and remove anything you wouldn’t want damaged during a busy stay with high-energy guests.

Simplify check-in 

We highly recommend a simple, easy-to-use keyless entry system or lockbox. Remember that many guests will be traveling internationally and might arrive very late. A reliable smart lock will spare you from check-in duties when you should be sleeping.  

Tip: Leave a welcome note and basic instructions somewhere guests will spot immediately.

Prep your place for the LA heat 

June and July in Los Angeles can be hot, especially inland. Make sure fans, air conditioning, or portable cooling units are working properly. Blackout curtains, shaded outdoor areas, and plenty of drinking water are thoughtful touches guests will appreciate.

Share stadium & transportation info

As you prep your home, think about how guests will get to the match. Make this information easy to find in your guidebook or pre-arrival message:

• Stadium: SoFi Stadium
• Address: 1001 Stadium Dr, Inglewood, CA 90301
• Public transportation: Take the Metro C or K Line to LAX/Metro Transit Center Station. The LA Metro may have shuttle buses in place. Point guests to Metro’s dedicated World Cup transportation website.
• Rideshare zones: Rideshare dropoffs are on the northbound curb lane on Kareem Court, accessed via westbound Pincay Drive from Crenshaw Blvd. Pickups are located on Kareem Court and Manchester Blvd.

Parking notes: Purchase parking in advance to save you time and money, as parking prices increase on site the day of an event.

4. Consider STR Insurance

Even with the best guests, things can go wrong: A stained rug, a broken appliance, or a late-night mishap. Before you hand over the keys, it’s worth making sure you’re covered.

Airbnb’s AirCover provides up to $3 million in liability and damage protection, and it’s included automatically for every host. For many, that’s a solid starting point. However, it’s not a traditional insurance policy and it may not cover everything, like property damage or lost income from business interruption due to a covered risk.

If you're only planning to rent out your place for a few nights, buying a brand-new policy might feel like overkill. That’s where supplemental coverage comes in. Some companies (like Allstate’s HostAdvantage®) offer short-term add-ons that work with your existing home insurance and are designed specifically for part-time or event-based hosting.

Tip: Steadily Insurance provides fast, affordable landlord insurance for short-term rental hosts. It's fast and affordable.

5. Cater to Your Guests

The World Cup in Los Angeles will bring fans from all over the world to Los Angeles, and a place to sleep is the bare minimum of guest expectations. They’re here for the energy, the atmosphere, and the experience. A few thoughtful touches will turn a good stay into a great one and lead to better reviews, too.

After a guest books your space, send a quick message asking if they’re visiting for the World Cup and which team they’re supporting. Knowing whether they’re Team USA fans or traveling internationally helps you personalize their stay in small but meaningful ways.

Even guests who aren’t attending a match will feel the buzz. Some may not realize how big the event is until they arrive, and that’s where a little local guidance goes a long way.

Here are a few easy ways to elevate the guest experience during the FIFA world cup 2026 Los Angeles:

• Share the match schedule and streaming info. Print the Los Angeles match schedule and leave it somewhere visible, along with clear instructions for watching games at your Airbnb (YouTube TV, FOX Sports, Peacock, Telemundo).
• Point guests to watch parties and fan zones. LA will host official and unofficial World Cup events across the city. Dropping a link to a local events calendar in your welcome message helps guests find the action quickly. Point guests to Discover LA’s guide to soccer in the city.
• Create a welcome basket with local flair. Think LA classics with a World Cup twist, like snacks from Bay Cities Italian Deli, a California wine or local Golden Road craft beer, sparkling water, or even team-colored treats for match days.
• Add a mini LA guide for downtime between matches. Recommend things to do and places to see, like Venice Beach Boardwalk, the Griffith Observatory, or a hike to the Hollywood sign. You can also recommend bars that regularly show soccer matches, like Joxer Daly's in Culver City and Fox & Hounds in Studio City.
• Translate key information. Many guests will be traveling internationally. Translating basics like Wi-Fi details, check-in instructions, and TV setup using Google Translate, or pre-made Airbnb message templates, can prevent confusion and make guests feel welcome. Airbnb data shows that France is the top country searching for accommodations in LA for the July 2 match-up of Group H winners v Group J runners-up, so consider translating things to French for visits around this match.
• Be culturally aware. Visitors will be coming from dozens of countries. Small touches like a shoe rack or chopsticks in the kitchen can make guests feel respected. Here’s a helpful guide on culturally inclusive Airbnb hosting for the World Cup.
• Make your space family friendly. Airbnb data shows that Los Angeles is the most popular host city among families booking for the World Cup. You can make your space family-friendly by stocking games, providing a pack and play or high chair, and furnishing your space with kid-proof pieces (no sharp corners or glass).

6. Build Your Support Team 

Hosting during the World Cup will be exciting, but it can also get hectic fast. Between quick turnovers, questions from out-of-town guests, and packed match days, having local help lined up can make a huge difference.

Professional cleaning services

Reliable cleanings between guests are crucial during high-turnover periods like the World Cup. Even hosts who normally handle cleaning themselves benefit from bringing in the pros during major events to save time and avoid burnout.

Look for Airbnb cleaning services in Los Angeles that specialize in short-term rentals and event turnovers, and confirm they’re available on match dates. Cleaners book up quickly when demand spikes, so it’s worth locking this in well ahead of time.

Here are some short-term rental cleaning services in Los Angeles:

• Cleenora
• ALA Cleaning 
• Rocket Maids LA

Co-hosts or property managers

If you’ll be out of town, juggling work, or just want backup, a local co-host or property management company can handle guest messaging, check-ins, issue resolution, and restocking supplies.

Here are a few Los Angeles-based co-hosts and property managers to look into:

• AirConcierge
• Park Place Properties
• Fieldtrip 

You can also search for individual co-hosts using Airbnb’s Co‑Host Network.

Storage solutions and other support

If you’re renting out your primary home, consider moving out personal items, valuables, or extra furniture temporarily. The best storage facilities in Los Angeles, closer to SoFi Stadium or central neighborhoods, may cost more, but the convenience can be worth it. Remember that storage used for hosting-related purposes can likely be deducted as a business expense, so keep records.

Here are some Los Angeles storage facilities to consider:

• Los Angeles Self-Storage
• StorCal Self Storage
• Santa Monica ExtraSpace Storage

7. Make Game-Changing Money

The World Cup changes how people book short-term rentals. Guests plan farther ahead, stay longer, and are willing to pay more to be in the right place at the right time. For Los Angeles hosts, that opens the door to earnings you don’t see every summer.

Here’s how to approach it:

Open your calendar early

Most World Cup travelers (especially international fans) book months in advance. Opening your calendar early gives you a better shot at longer stays and well-timed bookings around match dates.

Use the World Cup Dashboard to benchmark 

Even after you’ve listed your space, pricing isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it move, especially during a dynamic event like the World Cup where the teams will be determined closer to the date for certain matches. AirDNA’s World Cup Dashboard shows updated data on booking pace, nightly rates, and occupancy in Los Angeles and all the other World Cup host cities. Use it to stay in sync with rising demand, adjust your prices confidently, and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table as match days get closer.

Booking data for World Cup indicates an even distribution of reservations across price tiers in Los Angeles, with about 15% of demand falling within each category (budget, economy, midscale, upscale, and luxury). This suggests that there’s a guest market for nearly any price point.

Use past data to guide your pricing

Big events tend to push STR rates well above normal levels. Early World Cup bookings in Los Angeles are already showing a 56% increase in average booked rates for the USA vs. Paraguay match, which is a good signal of what’s coming. Use that momentum to set confident minimums instead of waiting and reacting later.

It helps to look at how other major events lifted LA short-term rental performance in the past. Take the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals as an example. Those weekends produce some of the most dramatic spikes in demand we see outside major sports events. Short-term rentals in Coachella/Indio typically command much higher than normal ADRs (average daily rates) during festival weekends, often well above $600 per night compared with their baseline rates.

Coachella isn’t a sporting event, but it illustrates the same principle that plays out in Los Angeles during the World Cup: When demand spikes, pricing power follows.

Set minimum stays

Your minimum stay policy is one tool in the Airbnb pricing strategies toolbox because it directly affects occupancy. As of February 2nd, the length of stay for World Cup reservations in Los Angeles are broken out as follows:

• 23% of reservations are for 1-2 night stays
• 39% are for 2-4 night stays
• 29% for 5-10 night stays
• 9% for stays of 11 nights or more

 Instead of one-night gaps, consider 2–3 night minimum stays around clustered match days. That helps reduce turnover work and can appeal to groups or families planning several nights around key games.

Pair Airbnb pricing tools with real data

Airbnb’s Smart Pricing can help you get started, but pairing it with insights from the World Cup dashboard and historical trends will help you optimize. Brush up on event-based booking patterns. 

For Los Angeles, timing matters. Group stage matches at SoFi Stadium run through June 25, which means several of the city’s knockout games won’t be finalized until late June. LA’s July 2 knockout match and July 10 quarterfinal will only be confirmed once group play and earlier knockout rounds conclude. Since fans might wait to see who’s playing in these games before booking lodging, some of your most strategic pricing choices will happen during the World Cup to capitalize on last-minute bookings. 

Pro tip: Consider waiting to make the knockout and quarterfinal dates available to book on Airbnb until the tournament is underway. Prices will climb higher as the dates approach and the competing teams are determined.

Want the crash course on how to get started with a short-term rental? The Hosting Crash Course from MOVHA is a great resource. The data shared is specific to Kansas City but most of the information is helpful no matter what city you are in.

FAQs

When is the World Cup in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles will host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches between June 12 and July 10, 2026. Games are spread across the group stage and knockout rounds, plus one quarterfinal game. It’s one of 11 U.S. cities selected as a host city for the World Cup.

How many World Cup games are in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles will host eight matches at SoFi Stadium, including:

• Five group stage matches
• Two knockout-round matches
• One quarterfinal

What World Cup games will be in Los Angeles?

Here’s the confirmed schedule at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles:

• June 12: USA vs. Paraguay 
• June 15: IR Iran vs. New Zealand 
• June 18: Switzerland vs. European play-off winner 
• June 21: Belgium vs. IR Iran 
• June 25: USA vs. European play-off winner 
• June 28: Match 73 – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up
• July 2: Match 84 – Group H winners v Group J runners-up
• July 10: Quarterfinal

Can I rent out my home in Los Angeles on Airbnb during the World Cup?

Yes, if you meet Los Angeles’ short-term rental requirements. In most cases, hosts can rent out their primary residence for stays of 30 nights or fewer, provided they’re properly registered with the city and follow local rules. Many hosts will choose to rent out their home just for the World Cup by traveling or staying elsewhere during the tournament period.

How do I turn my home into an Airbnb for the World Cup in Los Angeles?

Here’s what to do to turn your home into an Airbnb for the World Cup in 2026: 

• Register with the County of Los Angeles as a short-term rental operator and get your home-sharing permit.
• Create an Airbnb account and set up your listing. Not sure how? Read our article on how to create a listing on Airbnb. 
• Prepare your space. Clear out personal items, stock the essentials, and take great photos to make your space shine.
• Set a competitive price. Tools like Airbnb’s Smart Pricing and the AirDNA World Cup Dashboard can help you stay competitive during match weeks.
• Publish your listing and open up your calendar. The earlier, the better. Los Angeles is hosting the opening match between the USA and Paraguay, which is already generating serious STR demand.

Where will World Cup guests stay in Los Angeles?

While demand will be strongest in the neighborhoods near SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Westchester, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Marina Del Rey), travelers are already booking stays across the city. As inventory near the stadium fills up, guests are willing to stay farther out and commute on match days.