Here's how you could score a free FIFA World Cup ticket in Vancouver
If you’re looking to book accommodation in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup, you might be able to nab a free ticket to the tournament alongside it.
Airbnb launched a new booking incentive today where select Airbnb stays during FIFA will include a free World Cup ticket.
This comes after the short-term rental company sounded the alarm for months that Vancouver would face a severe accommodation shortfall during the World Cup.
In October, Airbnb published a news release stating that hotel prices will spike by over 200 per cent and projected a 70,000-night shortfall.
“This translates to an average daily shortfall of 7,700 unaccommodated fans during this period, with the number peaking at 14,700 on a single peak-demand day, a figure that accounts for 25 per cent of total projected demand for that day,” wrote Airbnb at the time.
They also warned that this could have the impact of a “significant reputational risk for Vancouver and B.C. as global host destinations.”
Airbnb also called out the City of Vancouver and the Government of British Columbia for their strict short-term rental regulations, like the fact that Vancouver’s fee for a short-term rental is $1,108.
“British Columbia and the City of Vancouver have some of the strictest short‑term rental regulations of all host cities,” said Alex Howell, Airbnb’s policy lead for Canada, told Daily Hive Urbanized in March.
Now, 64 per cent of available Airbnb listings in Vancouver are priced under C$400 per night. Further, the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) reported that June hotel occupancy across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are nine per cent behind the same time last year, and 15 per cent behind in Downtown Vancouver.
But Matt McNama, the communications lead for Airbnb in Canada, told Daily Hive Urbanized in a statement that they wanted to use FIFA as an opportunity to “spotlight the hosts,” because “so many Airbnb hosts go above and beyond for guests.”
He said they have these tickets through Airbnb’s partnership with FIFA, but it will be hosts who give them to their guests.
“The gesture comes from the host and the partnership with FIFA makes it possible,” said McNama.
How can you get a free ticket?
To see if you can score a free ticket with an Airbnb booking, you can search for stays on match dates on the Airbnb app or Airbnb.com.
If a listing includes a free ticket, it will feature a soccer ball as a highlight at the top of the listing page.
“Select travel dates, party size, and payment method to confirm the booking—tickets are included for each guest in the party,” reads the news release.
Once the booking is confirmed, the host will share details on how you can access the tickets.
Vancouver is hosting games on June 13, 18, 21, 24, and 26, as well as July 2 and 7.
Airbnb will be providing hosts and guests a total of 1,300 free tickets across all 16 FIFA World Cup host cities, which includes surprise tickets for guests who have already booked during the group stage, as well as the tickets included with future stays.
Daily Hive looked at several listings on June 13, June 18, and June 24, and didn’t see any listings with the soccer ball icon, indicating that it comes with a FIFA ticket. But McNama said that homes are released on a “rolling basis throughout the tournament.”
“While many participating listings will be available starting June 10, additional homes may be added over time as availability is finalized, giving guests ongoing opportunities to book stays with match ticket access.”
With files from Amir Ali