The 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, but some Angelenos who rented out their homes to fans are still raking in the profits from a month of soccer frenzy in the city.
Buoyed by mass tourism projections and a $750 Airbnb incentive for first-time hosts, many local homeowners expected a hefty payout. While some smart owners were able to make big profits during the tournament, others only experienced a moderate increase.
But one thing everyone took away was some extra money in their pockets and a plan for the LA28 Olympics.
We spoke to three Airbnb hosts in Los Angeles to find out what they earned from their World Cup rentals, the lavish renovations and amenities that helped their properties stand out, and what advice they'd give others to prepare for the next global gold rush.
Wellness Retreat Inspired Home in Inglewood, 3 Bedrooms
Lia Pilla turned one of her Airbnb properties into what she calls Pink Palms Retreat. The Inglewood home features an infrared sauna, large hot tub, and more.
Rental Host: Lia Pilla
How long have you been hosting? From 2021
Pre-World Cup rate: It ranged between $350 and $550.
Price during the World Cup: During opening weekend, I got $2,730 for two nights. Of course I have to pay a cleaning fee, but in just two nights I'm a few hundred short of paying my mortgage, so it was great. For the next few games, I got maybe $400 to $500 a night. Then last weekend I got like $3,400 for four nights, so it went up again.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? Last July, I did a complete remodel of the house and turned it into what I call Pink Palms Spa Retreat. It's all pink on the outside. It has an infrared sauna and a huge hot tub with capacity for 20 people. It has a large dining table with over-the-table fire pit, leafy privacy trees, and a custom gym.
Were you surprised by how things turned out? I was hoping to make a few hundred thousand from this World Cup, I'm not going to lie, but I didn't, so I thought, “Okay. That sucks.” I think LA got a little [cheated] with the equipment we had. We had the US team, which was great, but we didn't have any of the big name teams like Argentina, France or Spain, so I think that's one of the reasons the prices weren't as high. I also think the political climate has had a big impact. Some people are afraid to come to the United States or are not allowed to come. But I'm happy with what I got.
What are you thinking of doing with the money you earned? I always invest in the business. I want to touch up everything in all my properties, so that it still looks like the photos because your reviews are very important. I also have a vacation planned in Europe.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? Do your research on the market. Think “If I traveled to Los Angeles, what would I want?” because it's also about the experience you create. Know what amenities people like. If you are just starting out or are already a host, I highly recommend having software installed for property management, housekeeping, and pricing.
'hillside hideaway' in Woodland Hills, 2 bedrooms
Matthew Motamedi was surprised to see an influx of reservations at his Woodland Hills hideaway, which is about 30 miles from SoFi Stadium.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Rental Host: Mateo Motamedi
How long have you been hosting? From July 2025
Pre-World Cup rate: By the end of spring, we were charging between $250 and $280 per night on average.
Price during the World Cup: It was about $300, which is normal for us in July. We marked down hotels and some of the other listings in our area by $100.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? We added a super crazy comfy couch made of faux fur and people love it. That's one of the important things about Airbnb. There needs to be a good place to hang out, so the couch needs to be super comfortable, and if the couch isn't comfortable, no one wants to stay there.
Were you surprised by how things turned out? Our property was very far from SoFi Stadium (almost 30 miles), so I figured it wouldn't be an event for us. It was supposed to be that way, but it definitely affected us because I started having a lot of European and Spanish-speaking tenants.
What are you thinking of doing with the money you earned? We're definitely going to put the extra money back into the property because we're not there yet. There are so many things we want to do. During the World Cup, I was able to upgrade the air conditioning unit, added a smart thermostat, and invested in landscaping, something we want to do more of. We want to invest in curb appeal and add more outdoor furniture. Maybe a movie theater. We also want to get an automatic pen so we can write handwritten cards for guests because it's a little difficult to write perfect handwriting in different languages and in cursive. [Laughs] You can choose a font and it contains a pen. Having that would be really cool.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? You have to curate the experience and get more involved. If you cannot participate, you need a co-host. Find a cousin, a sister, a brother, a friend, someone you trust and with good taste to help you. Also, don't place pictures randomly. Make people want to move there. Many of my guests say, “I wish I could live here.” Need a hotel scent and provide laundry supplies. Ask your guests about their allergies and snack preferences and then prepare a snack basket. They get scared when they see that. Have a comfortable couch, add plants like fiddle leaf fig (it looks bougie and you only have to water it once a week) and get a good cleaner. With that you will do very well.
Modern Suite with Luxury Amenities in Westchester, 1 Bedroom, 2 Guests
Sara Geissler in one of her Airbnb units.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Rental Host: Sara Geissler
How long have you been hosting? I started my [rental management] business about 10 years ago, but I have been a full-time host for about eight years.
Pre-World Cup rate: About $195 a night.
Price during the World Cup: $234, which is about a 15% increase, so it's a small increase. It wasn't anything crazy.
Were you surprised by how things turned out? I probably expected a little more because it was such a big event. What surprised me a little was the length of the stays. I was thinking people were coming for a few days, but most of my stays were for a week or more. We were quite busy. I think we only had a couple of days between bookings.
What updates did you make, if any, to prepare? We bought the house a year ago and have been preparing it for the last four months. I added a private hot tub and an Eight Sleep Pod, which is a really stylish mattress topper that heats and cools the mattress. I tried to do everything I could with my comforts. We have all the fancy soaps, luxury robes and added a washer and dryer. I always think about what I would like when I travel. I always put Q-tips, cotton balls, and makeup remover wipes. For the kitchen, just have all the little things you need there. A wine bottle opener is number 1.
What are you thinking of doing with the money you earned? Pay my property taxes and my mortgage. [Laughs] Honestly, we put it toward our living expenses and paying for our house. It has been a great help because everything is very high.
Any advice for hosts preparing for the Olympics? Really think about what you would want and put yourself in the traveler's shoes. I always recommend people test their space before renting it. That will help you notice things like this faucet doesn't have hot water or I forgot to put a scoop of ice cream in the kitchen. You don't want your guest to be a guinea pig.
