![\"FC](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fc_dallas_v_real_salt_lake_supporter_section-53-e1774870807821.webp.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe World Cup is coming to North Texas. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe World Cup is coming to North Texas. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Mike Brooks<\/p>\n
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, now less than three months away, promises to be the most expensive in the tournament\u2019s nearly century-long history. And with nearly 4 million visitors expected in Dallas-Fort Worth alone<\/a>, a serious chunk of that change is expected to make its way to North Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n Specifically hoping to cash in are the North Texas short-term rental owners<\/a> who have regarded the World Cup as a once-in-a-lifetime hosting opportunity. This comes after years of legal back-and-forth as various North Texas municipalities have attempted to ban the majority of short-term rentals through unsuccessful, legally dubious ordinances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now the World Cup serves as something of a victory lap for the hospitality-focused homeowners. One Deloitte survey has predicted<\/a> that Airbnb owners across the U.S. will make around $212 million over the tournament\u2019s month-long duration.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last we checked, Airbnb data suggested that bookings<\/a> in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have increased 260% compared to last year\u2019s demand. Additionally, nearly 10% more listings have been put online to meet the demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, that statistical wave has looked more like a trickle in reality. Dallas Short Term Rental Alliance spokesperson Linda Young assures us that interest in bookings during the World Cup dates remains high, but that some footie fans may be more of the last-minute-planning type.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re seeing strong search interest for [the] FIFA dates, but not a broad wave of confirmed bookings yet. That matches what hosts are reporting on the ground \u2014 inquiries are up, but reservations are still slow,\u201d Young said. \u201cThe current pattern is high interest and limited early conversions.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s Available?<\/p>\n Hearing that it\u2019s still a buyer\u2019s market less than 80 days out from the tournament, we decided to poke around on Airbnb to see what options are available for those looking to come to Texas for the matches.\u00a0 <\/p>\n In this scenario we\u2019re looking for tickets during the first week of North Texas games, which would allow us to see The Netherlands vs. Japan and England vs. Croatia. We decided to look for a whole week because the tournament\u2019s hype has led many hosts to implement a minimum-stay requirement that is typically at least three or four nights.\u00a0<\/p>\n The wife and three kids are along for the ride, of course. FIFA is a family affair. And with the kids in tow, staying within a 15-minute walk of the stadium would<\/a> be preferable. (Besides, for the sake of this exercise, we\u2019re making ourselves European, which means we like walkability.)\u00a0<\/p>\n To meet these demands, there are a few STR options in the $5,500 range. In general, though, a majority of listings within walking distance of the stadium are significantly more expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n For $23,000, you could stay in a tricked-out Arlington McMansion that is less than a 15-minute walk from the stadium. The five-bedroom abode boasts a hot tub, karaoke setup, firepit and minigolf course in the backyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n A four-bedroom townhouse, also walking distance from the stadium, is listed for $14,200 and touts a rooftop view of Jerry World. A three-bedroom bungalow in the stadium\u2019s adjoining neighborhood has been discounted from $18,200 to $16,400 \u2014 a small price to pay for the backyard pickleball court.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Prices mellow the farther we get from the stadium, naturally. Across Dallas, that same week of housing for our family of five looks to cost more in the $3,000 range.\u00a0<\/p>\n On average, Dallas-area Airbnb hosts are expected to earn $4,400 on average over the tournament\u2019s duration, Deloitte found. But as hosts set their own prices, some could try to grab more.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Athletic recently spoke to Anthony Zoric,<\/a> a Croatian-American soccer superfan who has managed to get tickets to every match Croatia is slated for and any they could potentially make. Eerily similar to our hypothetical, Zoric booked an Airbnb for his family within walking distance of AT&T Stadium last year, but the stay was cancelled by the host shortly after the draw ceremony that determined which teams will play where.\u00a0<\/p>\n A few hours after he was alerted to the cancellation, Zoric noticed that his $327 two-night stay had been relisted at $907 with a minimum five-night booking requirement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit disappointed that \u2026 the owners of the place would do that,\u201d Zoric said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other Spending Pains\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Of the nine matches to be held in Arlington, five will take place during the group stage, and the matchups are already set. To buy a ticket to one of those games on the resale market, you\u2019ll be spending around a grand per ticket at minimum, and the high prices have already drawn ire.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last week, the fan organization Football Supporters Europe filed a formal complaint at the European Commission <\/a>over the \u201csky-high\u201d ticket prices. The filing accuses FIFA of imposing \u201cexcessive\u201d prices determined through \u201copaque and unfair\u201d means. It points to tournament final tickets at New Jersey\u2019s MetLife Stadium costing seven times what they did in Qatar in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the end of the day, though, this is the World Cup we\u2019re talking about, and high ticket prices aren\u2019t likely to keep fans at bay.\u00a0<\/p>\n