I didn't realize how big a deal the FIFA World Cup was until my Airbnb bookings blew up.

Jennifer Smith is listing this home, nicknamed Kentucky Cottage, on Airbnb during the FIFA World Cup.

Zerb Mellish for BI

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup is on, and people and businesses across the country are looking for ways to cash in on one of the world's biggest sporting events.Millions of fans are expected to travel to host cities, fueling demand for everything from restaurants and entertainment to places to stay.Airbnb is betting on it. The company is offering $750 to first-time hosts in any of the 16 World Cup host cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico who rent out their homes by July 31, 2026. In a May press release, Airbnb said that since it began its outreach in 2025, more than 100,000 new short-term rentals have been listed in those cities.In Dallas, one Airbnb host is charging $9,130 for a one-night stay in a modest one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental on June 22nd — the same day Argentina and Austria are scheduled to play at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Airbnb said 77% of entire-home listings still available for tournament stays are priced below $500 a night.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jennifer Smith, 55, who is renting out her McKinney, Texas, cottages on Airbnb during the FIFA World Cup. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.