Airbnb announced on Apr. 30 that it will give 1,000 FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets to young people from communities across New York and New Jersey. The initiative aims to offer local youth the chance to attend matches at NYNJ Stadium during the tournament.
The program is intended to help more community members participate in this major sporting event. At an event held at the Jamaica YMCA, Airbnb was joined by representatives from the YMCA of Greater New York, elected officials, and community leaders. Students from M.S. 217Q Robert A. Van Wyck learned about the ticket giveaway and took part in a soccer activity with local coaches.
“The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation moment, and locals should be a part of it. We’re especially excited to be giving the next generation of fans across the region the chance to witness history in their own backyard. We want to make sure the biggest sporting event on the planet has a positive, lasting impact for the everyday folks who live in this community, especially the kids,” said Jay Carney, Global Head of Policy and Communications for Airbnb.
Airbnb will work with nonprofit organizations throughout New York and New Jersey to select which young people receive tickets for what may be their first global sports experience. Several public officials welcomed this effort as a way of expanding access: “Hosting the World Cup is about so much more than the game being played on the field. It’s about engaging our local communities and giving New Jersey families memories that will last a lifetime,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.
The initiative builds on Airbnb’s previous commitments including over $1 million invested into building new soccer mini-pitches across both states and supporting local celebrations during FIFA World Cup events. In March, Airbnb also donated 1,000 match tickets for underserved communities in Mexico as part of its ongoing efforts.
According to the official website, Airbnb enables hosts around the world—including those in more than 220 countries—to share homes or unique venues with guests seeking authentic travel experiences through its marketplace platform connecting hosts with travelers globally. The company offers various lodging options such as entire homes or private rooms along with experiences like cooking classes or guided tours worldwide.
A report by Deloitte projects that Airbnb hosts in New York–New Jersey are expected to welcome around 25,000 guests during FIFA World Cup activities through 2026—generating $288 million in GDP for these regions while supporting over 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs.
