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The $14,000 Kickoff: Why the 2026 World Cup is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Toronto Homeowners
If you caught our recent video, you saw the headline that’s shaking up the Toronto real estate market: A single short-term rental booking just came in for $14,000.
That isn't a monthly total or a long-term lease. That is one booking for 8 nights to kickoff the World Cup festivities this June.
As a short-term rental property manager here in Toronto, I’ve been telling my clients since last fall: The World Cup is coming, and if you aren’t listed yet, you’re leaving money on the table. Now, the data is proving it.
To understand why this is a "gold rush" moment for Toronto hosts, you have to look at the numbers. We compared this $14,000 booking to the same unit’s performance during the same week last year.
Dates: June 4th – June 12th
2025 Rate: ~$560 / night
2026 World Cup Rate: ~$1,800 / night
The Result: A 300% increase in Average Daily Rate (ADR).
This isn't just a "busy weekend." This is a fundamental shift in the market value of Toronto's downtown core.
This specific booking came through Booking.com, which is a popular platform for international travelers. The guest is traveling all the way from Italy.
Why does that matter? With Canada set to open its campaign at BMO Field (Toronto Stadium) on June 12th, potentially against Italy, fans are already securing their home base. The excitement is reaching a fever pitch with "unprecedented levels" of ticket requests, over 500 million globally.
We all remember the "Swift Lift" in November 2024. According to 6ixretail.com and city reports, Taylor Swift’s six-night run generated $282 million in economic impact, with short-term rental demand near the Rogers Centre surging 245%. Our far future pricing strategy netted some of our clients ADR's of $2,400, with bookings topping out at $8,400 for a 4 night reservation during Taylow Swift, and its looking like we will be doing the same for the World Cup.
But experts say the World Cup will be on an entirely different scale. Walid Hejazi, a professor at the Rotman School of Management, told CTV News:
“With so many people crossing so many segments of society, I think it will be bigger than the Taylor Swift effect... FIFA people will be coming for a week to 10 days and hopefully touring other parts of Canada.”
While Swift fans came for a night, World Cup fans are coming for a season. They have money to spend, they want the best locations, and they are booking now.
The short answer: No.
While the biggest "early bird" bookings are happening now, the peak demand window is just beginning. Global News recently reported that while hotel prices across North America have surged by an average of 328%, Toronto has actually seen the "smallest" hotel increase so far among host cities.
What does that mean for you? It means the hotel market hasn't fully capped out yet, leaving a massive gap for short-term rentals to capture the overflow. As more fans realize that downtown hotels are hitting $1,000+ per night, they will flock to Airbnb and Booking.com for better value and more space.
The world is coming to Toronto this June. You can either sit on the sidelines or you can turn your property into a high-yield asset that pays for your own summer vacation (and then some).
We handle everything from A to Z including listing optimization, international marketing, guest screening, and 24/7 management, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the game while your property works for you.
