Why it matters
The 2026 edition is the first World Cup hosted by three nations, the first with 48 teams (up from 32), and the first with 104 matches (up from 64). The expanded format means every host city hosts more group-stage matches and a deeper knockout slate than any prior tournament — and the demand surge follows the format expansion, not just headline interest.
For short-term rentals, the 39-day window concentrates demand into a smaller share of inventory than a typical summer travel season. Cities with thin supply — Monterrey, Guadalajara, Kansas City — show the steepest match-day premiums; deep-supply hosts like NYC/NJ, Miami and LA absorb the spike with little visible calendar disruption. The 16-city stadium reference table sits in the data section above.