Vancouver Faces Lodging Shortage Ahead of 2026 World Cup
As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vancouver is gearing up to host matches, but there’s a looming problem – a significant shortfall in available accommodations. A recent report by Deloitte, commissioned by Airbnb, predicts a shortage of around 70,000 nights for visitors during the tournament.
With only 13,000 hotel rooms spread across 78 hotels in the city and some older hotels converted to housing, Vancouver is facing a challenge in providing enough lodging for the influx of fans and tourists. This shortfall could result in a direct spending loss of $45 million for Metro Vancouver, impacting various local businesses.
In response to the report, Airbnb is urging governments to relax regulations on short-term rentals to help meet the demand during the World Cup. The city and province have rules in place for short-term rentals, but with the anticipated surge in visitors, there are calls to streamline the process for hosts and make accommodations more accessible.
Amidst concerns about the accommodation gap, the city and province are under pressure to act swiftly to prevent a negative narrative about the challenges of finding a place to stay in Vancouver during the tournament. By providing temporary flexibility for local residents to host visitors, the hope is to create a positive experience for guests and showcase the best of what Vancouver has to offer during the World Cup.
Keyphrase: Vancouver World Cup lodging