How to Make Money on Airbnb During the FIFA World Cup 2026
The Biggest Money Opportunity in Canada This Summer Is Sitting Right in Your Home
If you live in Toronto or Vancouver, you're sitting on one of the best short-term income opportunities Canadians have seen in years — and you only have a few weeks left to take advantage of it.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, and Toronto is hosting six matches at BMO Field (June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26, and July 2), including the historic first-ever men's FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil. Over 146,000 visitors are expected to flood into Toronto for the games — and they all need somewhere to sleep.
Airbnb searches for stays in Toronto and Vancouver have already surged 80% compared to last year. Hotels have jacked up prices by as much as 78%. That means short-term rental hosts who are ready can charge serious rates — and Airbnb is even sweetening the deal with a cash bonus for new hosts.
Here's everything you need to know to get set up, stay legal, and make the most money possible.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
According to a Deloitte study commissioned by Airbnb, Toronto residents can earn roughly $2,700 CAD on average by renting their space during the tournament. Vancouver hosts are looking at even more — around $4,200 CAD on average.
Those are averages. Hosts with well-located properties in downtown Toronto are reporting significantly higher numbers. One property management firm shared that a one-bedroom downtown condo expected to lose nearly $1,000/month as a long-term rental is now projected to earn over $10,000 in a single month during the World Cup — based on actual bookings already confirmed.
Match days and the nights before them command the highest rates. The key is not to overprice mid-week gaps between games (a lesson hosts in Paris during the 2024 Olympics learned the hard way when oversupply caused a 57% price collapse).
Airbnb's $1,000 New Host Bonus — Is It Still Available?
Yes — but you need to act fast.
Airbnb is offering approximately $1,000 CAD (~$750 USD) to new entire-home hosts in Toronto and Vancouver who list their property and welcome their first guests by July 31, 2026. This is described by Airbnb as its biggest new host incentive program ever.
To qualify you must:
- Be a new host or have no active home listings as of Feb. 1, 2026
- List an entire home (not just a room) in an eligible FIFA World Cup event zone
- Submit your info through Airbnb's reward page before publishing your listing
- Complete a qualifying reservation with a minimum total of ~$137 CAD before taxes
- Register your property as a short-term rental with the City of Toronto (more on this below)
- The stay must not be cancelled
Payout is made within 45 days of the guests' completed stay via your Airbnb payment method.
Check eligibility and sign up at airbnb.ca/new-host-fifa
The Rules: What Toronto Hosts MUST Know Before Listing
This is the part most people skip — don't. Toronto has strict short-term rental bylaws, and the CRA is watching more closely than ever. Getting this wrong can cost you far more than you earn.
1. Primary Residence Only
Toronto's rules haven't been relaxed for the World Cup. You can only short-term rent the home where you actually live. Investment properties and secondary homes are restricted to mid-term rentals of 30 days or more. No exceptions.
2. You Need a City Registration Number
Every host must have a valid short-term rental registration number from the City of Toronto. This number must appear on every listing you post. Airbnb automatically blocks listings that aren't registered — so you won't be able to accept bookings without it. Apply through the City of Toronto's short-term rental portal.
3. The 180-Night Annual Limit
Toronto caps entire-home short-term rentals at 180 nights per year. If you've already been hosting in 2026, keep an eye on your count.
4. Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
Toronto's MAT rate is currently 8.5% (temporarily increased from 6% from June 2025 through July 2026 specifically to help fund the city's $380 million FIFA hosting costs). As a host, you must collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city quarterly. You'll need to sign a Voluntary Collection Agreement with the City and file a MAT report every quarter — even in quarters when you had no guests.
5. Safety Requirements
You're required to post an emergency contact and an exit diagram inside your home. Make sure your property meets fire safety standards and that your home insurance policy actually covers short-term rental use — many standard policies don't.
The CRA and Your Taxes: Don't Get Caught Off Guard
This is the part no one wants to talk about — but it's critical.
All Airbnb income is taxable in Canada. There is no minimum threshold. Even renting your place for a single weekend must be reported to the CRA.
Here's what's changed recently that every new host needs to know:
Airbnb Now Reports Your Earnings to the CRA
As of 2026, Airbnb is required under international tax transparency rules to report host income directly to the CRA. The CRA will match what Airbnb reports with what you file. Don't assume short-term income flies under the radar — it doesn't anymore.
How to Report It
Most hosts report short-term rental income on the CRA's T776 (Statement of Real Estate Rentals) form. If you provide extra services beyond basic lodging — like daily cleaning, meals, or tours — the CRA may consider you to be running a business, in which case you'd report on Form T2125 instead.
The Big One: Unlicensed Hosts Lose ALL Deductions
Starting with the 2024 tax year, the federal government introduced a rule that hits unlicensed hosts hard: if your short-term rental is not compliant with provincial or municipal regulations, the CRA will deny ALL expense deductions against that rental income.
That means if you're not properly registered with the City of Toronto and you earned $30,000 hosting, you pay income tax on the full $30,000 — not on your profit. You can't deduct cleaning fees, supplies, a portion of your mortgage interest, utilities — nothing.
This is why getting your city registration first is non-negotiable.
What You CAN Deduct (If You're Compliant)
- A proportional share of mortgage interest, utilities, and property taxes (based on the percentage of your home rented and the time it was rented)
- Cleaning and maintenance costs
- Airbnb service fees
- Supplies purchased for guests
- Home insurance (the rental portion)
- Accounting fees for preparing your rental income return
GST/HST Registration
If your total short-term rental revenue exceeds $30,000 in a calendar year, you are required to register for a GST/HST account with the CRA and charge 13% HST on top of your rental rates (in Ontario). This is separate from the MAT. For most casual World Cup hosts, this threshold likely won't apply — but it's worth knowing.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Earnings
- List NOW. Airbnb's search algorithm favours listings with reviews and history. The sooner you list, the more visibility you'll get before the peak demand window. Flight searches to Toronto are reportedly up 350% year over year.
- Price dynamically. Charge premium rates on match days and the nights before them. Soften pricing for mid-week gaps. Don't block off the whole period with a long minimum stay.
- Set a 2-night minimum on match weekends. This maximizes revenue and reduces turnover on your busiest dates.
- Make your listing World Cup-friendly. Mention proximity to BMO Field, transit access, and any amenities that appeal to sports travellers (big TV, outdoor space, space for groups).
- Track every expense from day one. Keep receipts for everything: cleaning supplies, linens, any upgrades you make. The more you track, the less you owe come tax time.
Is It Worth It? The Honest Answer
For many Toronto homeowners? Absolutely yes — if you do it properly.
But it's worth being realistic. Financial planners have cautioned that the headline numbers from Airbnb reflect ideal scenarios. Your actual earnings depend heavily on your location (downtown and near transit will far outperform suburban areas), how much of your home you're renting, your pricing strategy, and how much of your time you're willing to put in.
The administrative side is also real: city registration, MAT filing, tax reporting, and managing guests isn't passive income. If you're not prepared to handle that, hiring a short-term rental property manager (who typically charges around 18–20% commission) might make more sense and still leave you well ahead.
The bottom line: the demand is real, the money is real — but so are the rules. Do it right, and it can be a genuinely meaningful income boost in a year when a lot of Canadians need one.
Key Dates to Know
- June 11, 2026 — FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off
- June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26 and July 2 — Toronto match days at BMO Field
- July 19, 2026 — World Cup final (not in Canada, but Canadian fans still travelling)
- July 31, 2026 — Deadline to complete first Airbnb stay and claim the $1,000 new host bonus
- July 31, 2026 — Toronto's 8.5% MAT rate returns to 6%
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