The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and with it comes a wave of events cropping up around the U.S. as one of three host countries. Airbnb is capitalizing on the excitement with a lineup of watch parties, fan meet-ups and food tours through the month of June.
Starting June 12, Los Angeles’s Grand Central Market partnered with Airbnb on a localized food tour in honor of the Cup’s return to the city. The Market currently hosts 41 food vendors and “spans an entire city block,” featuring the wide range of global cuisines L.A. has to offer. Headed by host and food influencer Eddie Zamora, the tour is a shoppable event for visitors and locals alike.
“People that are coming to Los Angeles for the games can add it as an experience to their itinerary, sample the food, meet the people that are behind the concepts and connect with Eddie, who’s very knowledgeable about the different cuisines and Los Angeles in general,” says Katya Khazei, Grand Central Market’s director of marketing.
The Market is also building out the lower levels to screen the games for attendees and hosting an official FIFA store to sell merchandise. “When you come to Grand Central Market, I think you truly feel the culture and the community of L.A., and it’s unlike any other place,” she says. She hopes that the space will transform into a “really fun place with a lot of energy — and somewhere that’s free where people can enjoy the World Cup.” She explains that the venue still uses neon signs to preserve the analog qualities of the 1917-established market.
The Grand Central Market x Airbnb activation is one of a dozen in Los Angeles alone, with curated experiences popping up across the country, each priced from $50 to $250 on average.
“Airbnb has always believed the best travel experiences happen when you connect with a place through the people who call it home,” says Doug Weiss, director of experiences at Airbnb. “As an official supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026, we wanted to go beyond accommodations and create a way for fans everywhere to feel the energy of the tournament, not just those lucky enough to be in the stadium around this shared fandom of soccer.”
On the other side of the country, a group of soccer fans run an organization titled Secret Futebol Club in Brooklyn, New York. Started in 2011 as a way for casual soccer players to come together and enjoy the sport, SFC has spent the last decade building a space for sports lovers and creatives to come together. This summer, sponsored by Airbnb, the organization is set to host a series of jersey customization and watch parties, in addition to their own lineup of events.
“Airbnb approached us saying, ‘Hey, we’ve seen some of these things that you guys are doing, we would love to figure out how we can create some experiences that speak to your community and the broader tourism brought in by the World Cup,” says SFC co-founder Ricardo Carlota. SFC had previously launched a global uniform kit for Manchester United and Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s Wrexham AFC, in addition going on a national jersey customization tour with Adidas.
SFC was founded to help solve an accessibility problem. “Leagues we were playing in were really expensive, and didn’t play the style of soccer that we wanted to,” says Ash Heller, a New York writer who plays in SFC. “There already is a field shortage in New York City, and most of that goes to the kids — as it should — so there were a lot of factors around why we organized.”
“The World Cup coming was another realization of ‘We’re all going to get priced out of this thing, and very few of us in this community are going to be able to go to those games,” she continues. “The Airbnb ticket prices are accessible and affordable, especially in light of what’s going on at MetLife in the Meadowlands.” Tickets for SFC’s event are currently priced at $100, while a MetLife ticket is priced at $1500.
Other community events on the Airbnb website for locals and visitors include a series of rare opportunities to connect and play soccer with some of the game’s central figures, including USWNT icons Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy at a watch party in L.A, Ian Wright in New York and Christen Press also in LA. In Mexico City, the chance to play with local legend soccer Hugo Sánchez sold out instantly.
Sales have picked up already, according to Weiss, who expects them to continue to grow as the Cup kicks off.
“Our role is to make sure those moments of connection extend beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. Our experiences are designed to let fans fall in love with host cities the way locals do, through food, culture, community, and the kind of access you can’t find anywhere else,” Weiss says. And for the large percentage of homegrown fans that can’t land tickets, there’s still plenty of places to cheer on a team (or boo) with a lively crowd.
“A ticket to a World Cup match is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for most people. But the energy of a World Cup summer shouldn’t be. We wanted to create a way for every fan, whether they’re in the stadium or not, to feel part of something bigger,” says Weiss.
Below, a few highlights of the Airbnb x FIFA events.
Watch Party With Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy
Join U.S. women’s national soccer player Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy in L.A. to watch a Group D match live. Wambach and Foudy will break down USA vs Australia matchups and tactics, share their own stories from competing in the World Cup, and enjoy the game along with a selection of food, drinks, and music.
Friday, June 19. Priced at $50 per person.
Fan Meetup and Trivia at Joliet
Cheer with other fans at the Joliet Playa Vista restaurant in Los Angeles and join a quick round of trivia at halftime, while grabbing globally inspired bites from the buffet and sipping through mixology styles from around the world. Food and drinks are included.
Thursday, June 25 and Sunday, July 19.
Matchday Pizza Party at Rossoblu
Create gourmet and themed pizzas with the staff at Rossoblu (named after the Bologna football team!). Each table is a hub of their own, led by a captain who guides the group through trivia and predictions from kickoff to final whistle. Three slices and a drink are included.
Thursday, June 18 and Thursday, June 15. Priced at $40 per person.
Youth Training Day With Soccer Pro Ian Wright
In this session, designed for players ages 13-17 and open to all genders, participants will warm up, stretch and train like the pros do, taught by Premier League Hall of Famer Ian Wright. Wright will share tips and stories from when he was an up-and-coming player, all the way through to playing for England. Guardians must stay on site for the duration.
Monday, July 13. Priced at $150.
Live-Action Matchday Hang at Socceroof
The Wall Street venue will transform into a sports themed spot with games and soccer challenges. Take your shot at a giant dartboard, strike your way through bowling, and test your precision by taking down different targets. Connect with footie fans from around the world over included food and drinks as the match unfolds. Food and drink included.
Sunday, June 14, Tuesday, June 16, and Saturday, June 27. Priced at $25.
The New York Sandwich Tour: Soccer Edition
Ring in the Cup with a tasting tour of some of New York City’s best sandwiches representing the US, Mexico, Canada, and visiting nations, all expenses paid. Participants are welcome to rep their team’s colors and participate with host and tour guide Ben Gollan (and engage in a heated debate of whether or not a hotdog is a sandwich.
June 14 through July 20. Priced at $79.
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