Exclusive | Airbnb hosts charging up to $17K for World Cup Final stays

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final approaches, a small cluster of Airbnb listings near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is testing how much fans will pay to stay close to the action.

Seven short-term rentals within a five- to 20-minute walk of the stadium — located in East Rutherford — are currently listed between $13,000 and nearly $17,000 for three nights over the July 17 to 20 championship weekend. The properties range from apartments to single-family homes — and are largely marketed toward group stays, emphasizing walkability, parking and sleeping capacity rather than luxury finishes.

The pricing stands out even within a region accustomed to major event surges, reflecting the scale of demand expected for the World Cup Final, which will cap a month-long tournament hosted in cities across North America.

The most expensive Airbnb listings identified near the stadium share a similar profile: multi-bedroom layouts, free parking and accommodations designed for friends and families traveling together.

One two-bedroom, one-bath apartment listed for a cool $14,533 advertises sleeping for up to six guests, a game room, and two parking spaces. Should six soccer fans want to cram into this perch, it would cost some $2,400 apiece for the stay.

Another two-bedroom apartment, priced at $13,797, highlights Manhattan skyline views, a balcony overlooking MetLife Stadium and the American Dream complex, plus transit access into New York City.

At the upper end of the range, a one-bedroom, one-bath home listed for $16,074 includes a queen bed, a pull-out sofa and a fully equipped kitchen — while a larger house listed for $14,590 features multiple queen beds and a private home theater. A three-bedroom apartment asking a high $16,125 emphasizes sleeping capacity, laundry, parking and proximity to nearby attractions.

The listings are positioned less as luxury accommodations and more as logistical conveniences for fans seeking to remain near the stadium throughout the weekend.

When reached for comment by The Post, Airbnb said the highest-priced listings represent just a small portion of what’s available.

“These listings are not representative of what most fans are seeing on Airbnb for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, with about 75% of available listings in the New Jersey area priced under $500 per night and nearly 95% of bookings to-date also under that price point,” the company said.

“The beauty of Airbnb is the diversity of options and value — nearly half of listings still available for the Final have two-or-more bedrooms, offering more space and better value for fans and families who want to stay together during the tournament.”

According to Airbnb, thousands of listings remain available across northern New Jersey and New York City, including multi-bedroom homes priced closer to typical peak summer travel levels. 

(The company noted that availability and pricing are expected to shift as the tournament advances and the Final matchup is set.)

Even hotels surrounding the Meadowlands are also posting elevated rates for the World Cup Final weekend.

One of the closest properties to MetLife Stadium — World of Blue Hotel, formerly the Hilton Meadowlands — has recently returned under new ownership. 

The 21-story, 427-room hotel was acquired by P3 Properties CEO Harvey Rosenblatt on Wednesday with $25.2 million in acquisition financing, according to the Commercial Observer.

Rosenblatt told The Post he has listed a single room on Airbnb at $4,500 per night during the World Cup Final weekend to gauge interest.

“I just put out like a feeler on Airbnb to get a sense,” Rosenblatt said. “So I only have one Airbnb out.”

The rate could rise as demand develops.

“We are charging $4,500 a night for that period of time. It might be $6,000,” Rosenblatt said.

Rosenblatt said the property plans to host watch parties, live entertainment, and shuttle service to the stadium during the tournament, and that many rooms are already being held or negotiated in bulk.

He added uncertainty around which teams will reach the Final is likely delaying many bookings.

“We don’t know the teams that are going to be in the World Cup, and neither do those countries,” Rosenblatt said.

“A lot of people won’t buy now just to buy.”

For Rosenblatt, the timing of the purchase has added a personal dimension to the business opportunity.

“There’s that saying, sometimes you just need to be in the right place at the right time, I certainly feel like God has landed me here a couple of months before this event and that is pretty incredible. And I’m super grateful for it,” Rosenblatt said.