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FIFA World Cup 2026: Key Insights and Travel Trends from Japan

As anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026, global travel plans are ramping up. Fans are excited to witness historic matches and possible upsets, leading to a surge in demand for early games. Airbnb recently released insights on travel trends during the World Cup, revealing a new trend called “gateway travel,” where fans explore hidden gems outside the main event locations.

Major Matches Driving Accommodation Demand

Most accommodation searches for matches are coming from guests in the United States, the UK, and Canada. Notably, the following matches have generated the highest demand for Airbnb accommodations during the tournament:

• - June 13: Haiti vs. Scotland (Boston, Massachusetts)
• - June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (New York/New Jersey)
• - June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City)
• - June 16: France vs. Senegal (New York/New Jersey)
• - July 2: Group H1 vs. Group J2 (Round of 32) (Los Angeles, California)
• - June 25: Ecuador vs. Germany (New York/New Jersey)
• - June 22: Norway vs. Senegal (New York/New Jersey)
• - June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles, California)
• - June 19: USA vs. Australia (Seattle, Washington)
• - June 21: Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde (Miami, Florida)

Guests searching for accommodations during the World Cup show significant interest in a few key countries and regions, with the top searches coming from the United States, UK, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Australia, and Argentina.

Families and Groups Boosting Early Travel Demand

According to Airbnb's data, the World Cup is attracting families and groups worldwide, eager to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Over half of the travel bookings made for World Cup viewings are from families and groups. Los Angeles stands out as the most popular city for families booking travel, followed by San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Miami, and Kansas City.

Among these groups, nearly 30% of bookings are for two-night stays, while over 20% are for four to five nights. The highest number of bookings come from families based in Chicago, Arlington, and Los Angeles, indicating strong interest from major US cities.

Many families are opting for spacious and affordable accommodations, with roughly 75% of these bookings featuring two or three bedrooms.

Gen Z Fans Embrace Long-Distance Group Travel

This year's tournament is particularly appealing to younger travelers. Trends among Gen Z indicate a strong interest in experiencing the World Cup with friends, with these guests representing over 15% of overall bookings, half of whom are traveling in groups. Popular destinations for Gen Z travelers include Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, with over 40% planning trips of three to five nights.

International interest is also high, with London and Glasgow emerging as leading departure cities for Gen Z guests, followed by Tokyo and Los Angeles.

Gateway Travel: Exploring Beyond Hosting Cities

Many travelers are taking the opportunity to explore regions outside the main host cities through “gateway” travel, particularly those visiting from afar. International travelers account for 70% of gateway travel during the World Cup period. Notably, guests from outside the US tend to visit more destinations and stay an average of three nights longer than American guests.

Travelers from Latin America stay the longest, averaging 16 nights, followed by Europe (14 nights), Asia-Pacific (13 nights), and travelers from the US and Canada (10 nights). Argentine travelers, in particular, have the longest travel duration while German guests visit the most destinations during their trips.

Excitement Builds Among Japanese Fans

With the World Cup generating global excitement, Japanese fans are equally enthusiastic. Similar to global trends, Japan's Gen Z population shows a high growth rate in interest, leading the way in travel bookings for the tournament. Popular matches among Japanese guests include:

• - June 14: Netherlands vs. Japan (Dallas, Texas)
• - June 20: Tunisia vs. Japan (Monterrey, Mexico)
• - June 25: Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner (Dallas, Texas)
• - June 15: Iran vs. New Zealand (Los Angeles, California)
• - June 22: Argentina vs. Austria (Dallas, Texas)

The search trends indicate a growing interest among Japanese fans for southern US cities like Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City, demonstrating a proactive approach in planning their support during the World Cup.

Affordable Accommodations Near Match Venues Still Available

As an official supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026, Airbnb assists local residents in listing their properties during the tournament to generate additional income. With numerous accommodations available for under $500 per night, it's evident that early booking trends favor budget-friendly options. Many listings with two or more bedrooms are also under $500 per night, offering family groups attractive space and excellent value.

For travel planning, we recommend several “Guest Choice” accommodations that provide easy access to official stadiums for under $500 per night. These include spacious homes suitable for families, stylish urban lofts, and cozy private retreats, catering to travelers looking for unique experiences during one of the world’s largest sports events.

These unique stays reflect a growing demand from travelers who want to enjoy matches while immersing themselves in the local culture. According to a recent Deloitte study, Airbnb guests are expected to generate $3.6 billion in economic impact within host cities during the tournament, highlighting the positive contributions of home-sharing to local communities.