Airbnb calls it the “largest new host incentive program ever” — $1,000 for anybody in Toronto who indicators up for its platform and rents out their place across the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Demand for World Cup stays on Airbnb is surging, giving residents of host cities the chance to spice up their incomes by sharing their houses and the communities they love,” Airbnb’s chief enterprise officer Dave Stephenson stated.
“There’s actually by no means been a greater time to develop into a bunch on Airbnb.”
Nevertheless, in Toronto, some are involved concerning the results the coverage may have on an already-expensive rental marketplace for the residents left behind when soccer’s largest match strikes on.
Tom Slee, a member of the advocacy group Fairbnb and a author, instructed the World Cup supplied a chance for Airbnb to draw new long-term hosts.
Fairly than simply boosting its provide of homes for just a few weeks across the match, it may transfer some leases from long-term leases into the short-term market.
“There’s all the time a hazard with Airbnb that it’s all the time making an attempt to broaden its footprint in cities, it’s all the time making an attempt what alternatives it might, and there’s a hazard that, because it does so, that it drives housing inventory out of long-term housing,” he defined.
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The timeline of the supply underscores the priority. Toronto will solely host World Cup matches from June 12 to July 2; the supply rewards anybody who completes a reserving earlier than the tip of July — weeks after the occasion is over.
“I believe that’s what Airbnb is making an attempt to do,” Slee stated. “They need new individuals on their platform. They don’t simply need them for the month of June, July. They need them on long-term.”
International Information requested Airbnb if the supply was a part of an growth plan.
“This system is designed to assist host cities like Toronto meet the surge in demand for varied varieties of lodging through the FIFA World Cup 2026,” a spokesperson stated.
“With town anticipating to welcome about 146,000 guests, it creates a singular alternative for residents to open their houses, earn further revenue and profit from the largest host incentive program Airbnb has ever supplied.”
For some landlords, the chance to make $1,000 together with short-term rental income may show tempting. In response to Leases.ca, the common hire has fallen virtually seven per cent within the final yr. In March 2026, a one-bedroom condominium averages $2,201 per 30 days.
Douglas Kwan, the director of advocacy and authorized companies on the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, stated some property homeowners could attempt to liberate their properties to benefit from the supply
“I’m involved that there’s marginalized tenants who’re residing in basement residences or room homes that could be given money for keys as these landlords look to flip them and make them Airbnbs,” he stated.
“I’m additionally involved that models which might be exempt from hire management, these tenants residing in these varieties of models would possibly find yourself being evicted for short-term acquire.”
The Metropolis of Toronto itself has a strict program governing short-term leases. Anybody who desires to let a property on Airbnb has to register it with town to ensure compliance and bylaw officers attempt to establish properties that aren’t registered and have them banned.
It’s unclear, nevertheless, what an explosion in short-term leases may do to that program at a time when metropolis bylaw and different companies can be stretched to their most internet hosting tens of 1000’s of soccer followers.
“The problem in Toronto is that though Toronto has a powerful short-term rental bylaw in place, the inflow of extra models coming onto the market on account of World Cup — and in addition probably the rise in unlawful short- time period leases — will put an excessive stage of burden on our bylaw officers, who have already got a difficult time taking part in whack-a-mole to make sure that we’ve got the proper provide,” Kwan stated.
The town’s media division repeatedly declined to make anybody out there for an interview with International Information.
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
