⚽️🥇 Host City Watch: STR Rules in Play (3)
From stadiums to spare rooms, the World Cup rush meets a wave of visa costs and city-by-city rental rules.
Genelaine Urbano
Read: ⚽️🥇 Host City Watch: STR Rules in Play (2)
With less than a year to go, the world’s most anticipated sporting event is set to light up stadiums across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Local governments are gearing up for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of fans traveling from all over the globe to cheer on their teams.
For these cities, the World Cup isn’t just about the matches. It’s a chance to boost tourism, showcase local pride, and create experiences. But with such an influx of visitors comes one big question: where will everyone stay?
Across the host cities, property owners are preparing for a surge in demand, and cities are beginning to revisit their local rules to make sure both hosts and guests stay compliant. Short-term rentals are at the heart of these conversations, as they’ll play a major role in accommodating fans. The result is a patchwork of policies that could shape the visitor experience city by city.
In places like Connecticut, where regulations remain comparatively relaxed, property managers are anticipating a steady stream of guests seeking alternatives to pricier hotel options near match sites in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, where hotel capacity may fall short, the Missouri Vacation Home Alliance has launched a “World Cup Hosting Crash Course” to help residents navigate pricing, insurance, and safety standards ahead of the tournament.
Miami County, Kansas is stepping into the short-term rental conversation as the region gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in nearby Kansas City. The Miami County Planning Commission reviewed a proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance that would, for the first time, establish regulations for Airbnbs and other vacation rentals in the county’s unincorporated areas.
The draft ordinance defines short-term rentals as stays under 30 days and would require annual registration with the Planning and Zoning Department by January 31, including documentation such as ownership proof, contact information for a 24/7 responsible party, and a floor plan showing fire safety details. The discussion comes as local leaders emphasize the urgency of preparing for the expected influx of more than 650,000 World Cup visitors within driving distance of Kansas City, highlighting how rural counties like Miami, Franklin, and Anderson could benefit from new lodging options.
The situation looks quite different in the New York area, where the World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. New York City’s strict Local Law 18, passed in 2023, effectively wiped out most STR listings, pushing demand into nearby Jersey City and Newark. While that’s been a small win for those markets, experts worry the region won’t have enough lodging to meet the surge in visitors. Some industry advocates suggest temporary suspensions of bans and caps, similar to Parkville’s approach, allowing cities to test flexible rules during major events.
Some host cities remain caught in regulatory limbo. In Dallas, where the City Council passed a short-term rental ban in 2023, courts have twice ruled the ordinance unenforceable. Operators are demanding clarity as they prepare for thousands of international guests, and several council members are urging action before next summer. Atlanta faces a similar crunch: after years of debate and lawsuits over party houses and permits, the city’s short-term rental licensing law remains suspended.
Washington is bracing for a wave of global visitors and with it, renewed attention on short-term rental (STR) regulations. Seattle will host six matches, Vancouver seven, and nine additional Washington cities have been named official Fan Zones, several of which will double as training or base camps for international teams.
Organizers with SeattleFWC26 project that the state could welcome around 750,000 visitors during the tournament, with most concentrated in the Puget Sound region but spillover expected statewide. With an average stay of nine days, fans are already booking Airbnbs and other STRs months in advance, sparking local conversations about how to manage the influx.
Many cities — from Seattle to smaller fan zone hubs — are considering whether to revisit their STR ordinances ahead of 2026. The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) notes that 21 jurisdictions in Washington have adopted new STR ordinances since 2021, often focused on balancing tourism with housing affordability and neighborhood stability. Still, none specifically address the temporary spike in demand that the World Cup will bring.
As millions of visitors plan their World Cup trips, the next year will test whether host cities can balance enforcement, housing stability, and tourism growth — and whether short-term rentals can fill the crucial lodging gap hotels alone can’t cover. Each city’s approach will not only shape the fan experience but also serve as a lasting blueprint for how major global events intersect with local housing policy.
Stricter U.S. Visa Rules Could Complicate Travel for 2026 World Cup Visitors
A wave of new U.S. immigration measures could make travel more complicated ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The changes include higher fees, new security deposits, and the end of visa interview waivers, signaling a stricter approach to border control.
Among the most significant changes is the Visa Bond Pilot Program, requiring select B-1/B-2 visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to pay refundable deposits ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The measure is designed to discourage overstays and ensure compliance with visa conditions.
Another major update is the $250 “visa integrity fee,” expected to take effect October 1, 2025, for most nonimmigrant visas. Though refundable for compliant travelers, it adds to the growing list of upfront costs. Meanwhile, the ESTA authorization fee for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries will rise from $21 to $40 on September 30, 2025.
The State Department has also eliminated the visa interview waiver program, meaning nearly all visa applicants must attend in-person interviews starting this fall.
In a further tightening move, the Department announced a new rule on September 6, 2025, requiring applicants to submit visa requests only in their country of residence or nationality. This eliminates the option to apply in a third country, with limited exceptions. For instance, Afghans must now apply in Pakistan, while Venezuelans must go to Colombia.
These changes are likely to lengthen wait times and increase consular workloads, especially as the U.S. expects millions of international visitors for upcoming global events. Industry observers warn that the additional costs and administrative steps could discourage tourism and business travel.
Mexico: Guadalajara - Mexico City -Monterrey
United States: Atlanta - Boston - Dallas - Houston - Kansas City - Los Angeles - Miami - New York New Jersey - Philadelphia - San Francisco Bay Area - Seattle
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