Kansas City homeowners who entered the short-term rental market ahead of the FIFA World Cup are finding that the expected booking surge has not fully arrived. Maureen Hosty, a first-time host in the River Market, said she began offering part of her home in February after city officials lowered permitting costs to encourage residents to benefit from the tournament’s expected influx of visitors. Despite preparing two bedrooms and two bathrooms for guests, Hosty said she has received no inquiries and now doubts she will secure more than a night or two.
Hosty is among a growing number of residents who hoped the World Cup would create a financial windfall. Kansas City officials estimated last year that about 650,000 visitors would come during the monthlong event, and that forecast helped inspire new hosts to list their homes. Data from AirDNA shows Kansas City has seen the biggest increase in Airbnb listings among World Cup host cities since June 2025. The company’s May report says local listings rose 43%, and 13.6% of new short-term rental listings in the city are available only for the World Cup. City records show 398 major-event short-term rentals out of 1,100 total registered rentals, and overall registrations are up 48% since June 2025.
For some homeowners, the appeal was not only money but also the chance to host international soccer fans. Hosty said she had lived in Argentina for a year and hoped to welcome Argentine supporters and share her love of the game. But as the tournament approaches, her optimism has faded. She said she expected to be booked for at least a month by April, yet the home remains empty.
Bryce Langford, another Kansas City homeowner, faces a similar situation. He and his wife listed their four-bedroom Midtown home on Airbnb about five months ago, but no one has contacted them about booking it for the World Cup. Langford said they priced the property high to ensure the effort of preparing the home would be worthwhile. Although he is not disappointed, he said the experience has answered their question about whether the home would attract interest.
Not all hosts are struggling. Susan Brown, a veteran host with five properties in the metro and president of the Kansas City Short-Term Rental Alliance, said she has already received two World Cup bookings, including one from Argentine visitors and another from an out-of-state family. Brown said higher-priced properties have not yet been reserved, but she is comfortable waiting because her business is established. Her group and the Missouri Vacation Home Alliance helped organize workshops for prospective hosts, offering guidance on permits, local rules and pricing.
The city’s expanding rental supply may be helping keep prices more reasonable for visitors, Brown said. While some newer hosts are frustrated by slow demand, she believes the broader picture will still leave enough lodging available for fans attending the tournament.
