Kansas City emerged as the top performer in short-term rental (STR) revenue during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to new analysis by KeyData. The city saw a remarkable 51% increase in adjusted revenue per available rental (RevPAR) compared to the previous year, driven by a 42% rise in average daily rates (ADR) and a 6% increase in adjusted paid occupancy.

The analysis, covering 13 host cities across the US and Canada, highlighted that overall STR performance improved by 24% year over year during the tournament period from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This growth was primarily attributed to higher nightly rates, which rose by 20%, whilst adjusted paid occupancy saw a modest 3% increase.

New York/Newark and San Francisco Bay followed Kansas City, with adjusted RevPAR increases of 40% and 33%, respectively. New York/Newark experienced the largest gain in adjusted paid occupancy at 17%, alongside a 19% rise in ADR. San Francisco Bay's growth was mainly due to a 33% increase in ADR, with occupancy remaining stable.

Sally Henry, VP of Market Intelligence and Insights at KeyData, noted, "The cities that performed best weren't always the largest markets. Kansas City outgrew both New York and Los Angeles because operators there priced into the demand rather than just filling more nights."

The findings suggest that cities which strategically managed pricing rather than solely focusing on occupancy were more successful. With more major events anticipated in North America, cities that adopt this approach may continue to benefit

This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.