Title: Vancouver Faces Lodging Shortage for 2026 World Cup

VANCOUVER - A recent report indicates that Vancouver may experience a significant shortage of lodging during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting Airbnb to advocate for relaxed regulations on short-term rentals. The tournament is set to begin on June 11, 2026, with Vancouver and Toronto as the two Canadian host cities among 16 locations across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

The report, commissioned by Airbnb and conducted by Deloitte, estimates that Metro Vancouver will have approximately 41,800 accommodation options, including hotels and short-term rentals, while the City of Vancouver will offer around 22,700. This creates a potential shortfall of about 70,000 nights, meaning many visitors may struggle to find places to stay during the event. The report also suggests that this shortage could lead to a direct economic loss of about $45 million for the region, based on an average visitor spending of $639 per night.

Alex Howell, policy lead at Airbnb Canada, stated, "We’ve been hearing for months that Vancouver is going to be short of accommodation options during FIFA 2026, and this new report confirms that." Howell emphasized the need for the city and province to take action to address the lodging gap, which she described as a missed economic opportunity.

B.C. Premier David Eby acknowledged the high demand for short-term accommodations but did not commit to easing regulations. He mentioned that the province is encouraging the city to expedite hotel permit approvals and is working with event organizers to accommodate visitors. Eby stated, "What we can’t do is displace people who work and deliver services in Vancouver to support those activities."

Housing Minister Christine Boyle supported Eby’s comments, noting that over 23,000 active short-term rental listings are registered with the province, which helps supplement the hotel industry. She said, "We believe we’ve struck a balance between the needs of people who live and work in B.C. and those visiting our province."

The tourism minister previously estimated that around 350,000 visitors are expected in Vancouver during the World Cup. However, a city report from April revealed that there are only 13,000 hotel rooms available across 78 hotels in the city. Additionally, Vancouver lost about 550 hotel rooms between 2020 and 2022, partly due to older hotels being converted into housing for vulnerable populations.

FIFA will announce the hosts for the group-stage matches on December 5. Vancouver is scheduled to host five opening-round games starting June 13 at BC Place, along with a round-of-32 and a round-of-16 match. Howell urged the city to act quickly, stating, "This fall is going to be the crucial time for them to take action ahead of the big milestone event in December."

Howell pointed to the Taylor Swift concerts in December as a warning, where hotel prices surged by an estimated 260 percent. The Deloitte report predicts a similar increase of over 200 percent for hotel costs during the World Cup. Howell argued that relaxing short-term rental regulations could prevent negative perceptions about the affordability and availability of accommodations in Vancouver during the event.

Andy Yan, a city program director at Simon Fraser University, acknowledged the lodging shortage, stating, "It is one of the key sectors in the city and the regional economy, and yet one of the key pillars of that economy seems to be challenged." He noted that while Airbnb may see an opportunity, the situation is more complex than simply adjusting regulations.

The City of Vancouver was contacted for comment but did not respond immediately. Howell reiterated the importance of addressing the accommodation issue, saying, "By introducing temporary flexibility for local residents, we can avoid having a really negative story about how expensive it is to come to Vancouver."

Yan added that the accommodation shortage highlights broader issues regarding the visitor economy and transportation from neighboring areas, emphasizing that it is a systemic problem that requires comprehensive planning.