Redefining Mass Tourism

Airbnb’s consolidation as a central force in the global tourism industry is reflected not only in its international alliances but in its measurable local impact. The platform recently announced an unprecedented partnership with FIFA, becoming an Official Partner of three landmark football competitions: the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The agreement is designed to deliver singular experiences to millions of fans while driving economic development across host cities.

According to estimates by Deloitte, the 2026 FIFA World Cup alone is expected to draw more than 380,000 guests through Airbnb, generating an economic impact of nearly $3.6 billion. Local hosts stand to earn up to $210 million in income, and approximately 34,000 full-time-equivalent jobs are projected to be created. These figures position Airbnb as a consequential engine of the global tourism economy.

Partnerships of this scale reinforce the company’s broader strategy: to offer not merely accommodation, but immersive and deeply personalized experiences — from training sessions with legendary footballers to culturally rich local tours led by residents. Unlike the traditional hotel industry, Airbnb wagers on authenticity, local connection, and the wide distribution of economic benefit.

“We want to be part of this unique event and generate a decisive economic impact for local communities.”

Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb

“Having a travel leader like Airbnb on board is exceptional. Together, we will continue to see how football unites the world.”

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

WORLD CUP HOST CITIES

This global vision finds its proof of concept in local results. Airbnb has published studies on its impact in Jalisco, Mexico City, and Nuevo León, yielding relevant findings on the platform’s role in the reactivation of regional tourism. In 2021 alone, thousands of Jalisco-based hosts welcomed domestic and international travelers, contributing meaningfully to the post-pandemic economic recovery.

Among the study’s key findings: hosts across Jalisco generated substantial supplementary income through the platform. The average guest profile was predominantly domestic, with growing interest in destinations beyond traditional tourist circuits. Cities such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, alongside smaller rural communities, recorded significant increases in visitor arrivals — a direct consequence of the flexibility and accessibility Airbnb listings provide. Average length of stay also exceeded that of hotel guests, pointing to a more immersive form of tourism, one more deeply connected to local life.

In Mexico City, for every peso a guest spends on accommodation, four more flow into the surrounding neighborhood — into the restaurants where they have breakfast, the taxis that take them to their appointments, the shops where they buy gifts, and the cultural activities they discover through local recommendations. This is not merely a hospitality story; it is an invisible economic network that activates with every visit.

Taken together, these dynamics generated an economic impact exceeding 22 billion pesos in 2024, benefiting more than 46,000 people across transportation, retail, and food service sectors.

Nuevo León, meanwhile, is positioning itself as one of the key destinations for the thousands of football fans expected from around the world. According to a recent Deloitte study, the platform is projected to generate an economic impact of approximately $113 million during the tournament, driven by roughly 26,000 guests who will choose private residences over hotels.

Together, the combination of strategic global agreements — such as the one signed with FIFA — and demonstrated regional impact illustrates how Airbnb is redefining mass tourism. Rather than concentrating benefits within large hotel chains, the platform advances a model built on civic participation, authentic experience, and local economic dynamism, cementing its place as an essential new player in the international tourism industry.

MEXICO CITY – AUGUST 12: Goaltender Tim Howard #1 of the USA goes up to block a goal by Israel Castro #8 of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying soccer match between the USA and Mexico at Azteco Stadium August 12, 2009 in Mexico City, Mexico. USA lost 2-1. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

BY THE NUMBERS

Projected Economic Impact, according to a Deloitte study commissioned by Airbnb

380,000 guests expected during the 2026 World Cup

$3.6 billion estimated total revenue for host cities

$210 million in potential earnings for hosts in host cities

34,000 full-time-equivalent jobs projected to be created