World Cup Housing Update: Airbnb Is Now Paying New Hosts to List

Airbnb is Offering a $750 Incentive if Eligible & Allowed to Host!

If you caught our piece on the FIFA World Cup's impact on local housing, here's an update worth paying attention to.

Airbnb has just launched what it's calling its biggest new host incentive ever and it's aimed squarely at homeowners in our area. New entire-home hosts in any of the 16 World Cup host cities who welcome their first guests between now and July 31, 2026, are eligible to receive $750. With MetLife Stadium hosting the championship final on July 19, the New York/New Jersey metro is firmly on that list.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible, you must have had no active home listings as of February 1, 2026, publish a listing for an entire home within an eligible event zone zip code, and complete a reservation totaling at least $100 before July 31, 2026. 

You can check whether your zip code qualifies at airbnb.com/new-host-fifa.

 And beyond the $750 bonus, Deloitte estimates New York-area hosts could earn as much as $5,700 during the tournament.

Before You List: A Reminder on Local Laws

As we covered in our last issue, this opportunity comes with a significant asterisk. New Jersey has no statewide short-term rental law, every town sets its own rules, creating a patchwork of zoning codes, permit requirements, and outright prohibitions. 

That hasn't changed, and it's even more relevant now that Airbnb is actively recruiting new hosts across more than 53 northern and central New Jersey zip codes.

A few reminders for our area specifically:

Bergen County has a very mixed landscape. Englewood bans short-term rentals entirely. Demarest prohibits rentals under 90 days unless the owner is present, with fines up to $1,000 per day. 

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Fort Lee, Paramus, Lyndhurst, and Ridgewood, for example, all prohibit rentals under 30 days. Some towns without explicit bans may permit them with proper licensing, but you need to verify.

Passaic County is similarly varied. West Milford allows short-term rentals with a permit, up to 180 days per year, while Passaic City does not list short-term rentals as a permitted use in any zoning district. 

Essex County Newark has established a formal ordinance allowing and regulating short-term rentals, making it one of the clearer paths to compliance in the county, provided you obtain the required permits and collect applicable taxes.

The Takeaway

The $750 incentive is a compelling nudge for homeowners who have been on the fence about listing. But the rules haven't changed just because Airbnb is dangling a bonus. HOA restrictions and local regulations could prevent some homeowners from hosting at all, and taxes and fees can meaningfully reduce your net earnings. 

Call your town's zoning office before you create a listing it's a five-minute phone call that could save you a serious headache.

If you have questions about how short-term rental activity might affect the value or marketability of your home, feel free to reach out.