World Cup 2026 Sparks Booking Rush for Underdog Clashes and US Matches, Airbnb Data Shows

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Some of the most sought-after fixtures are not the traditional power-house clashes. A group-stage meeting between Haiti and Scotland on June 13 in Boston ranks among the top drivers of searches. Also high on the list is Brazil vs Morocco on June 13 in New York and Mexico vs South Africa on the opening day of play, June 11, in Mexico City.

US national team fixtures are another major catalyst. Searches are surging around USA vs Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles and USA vs Australia on June 19 in Seattle. A Round of 32 matchup in Los Angeles between the winner of Group H and the runner-up of Group J on July 2 is already generating strong interest, despite the teams not yet being confirmed.

Other host cities benefiting from early attention include Miami, where Uruguay vs Cape Verde on June 21 is among the top demand drivers, and East Rutherford (where the New York stadium is located), which is trending due to the fact the stadium there will host matches with France, Senegal, Ecuador, and Germany. Airbnb said in a press release the surge is part of a broader World Cup travel pattern that is expected to inject billions of dollars into local economies through guest spending, according to Deloitte analysis commissioned by the company. These are the matches driving the most searches on Airbnb:

Who is attending the matches

Interestingly, Gen Z travelers are booking in droves, according to Airbnb. And they’re not coming alone — younger travelers are coming in groups. Family travel is also looking strong for the 2026 World Cup. This is particularly true for US-based travelers. Regardless of who they are or where they’re from, travelers heading to the World Cup are using matches as an excuse to book travel further afield, often heading to cities and outdoors-y destinations beyond the location of the match they plan to attend.

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