Airbnb Scores Revenue Beat With World Cup Travel Surge
Synopsis
The FIFA World Cup and resilient global travel demand lifted bookings and attracted new users, pushing the company's shares more than 10% higher in extended trading.
Key Highlights
- Airbnb topped second-quarter revenue estimates as strong demand for global travel and the FIFA World Cup boosted results.
- For the quarter, revenue increased to $3.61 billion, higher than estimates of $3.57 billion from analysts.
- The company anticipates revenue for the year 2026, at least the mid-teen.
Airbnb’s second quarter revenue topped expectations with strong travel around the world and a surge in new users during this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
North American bookings grew the fastest they have in almost three years, the company said. Shares gained 10.8% in late trading.
Bookings and Earnings Rise
Nights and experiences booked around the world were up 10% to 148.3 million in the quarter. In North America, 40% of Airbnb revenue in 2025, bookings increased by a high-single-digit rate.
Airbnb said growth in countries like Brazil and India, as well as World Cup-related demand, offset softer long-haul international travel due to the Iran war. The company also stated there are signs of a gradual recovery for travel demand in the Middle East.
Company Expands Beyond Home Rentals
The company said it will keep growing its platform by adding services such as private chefs, car rentals and boutique hotels.
As it expands into new services, the company also sees countless deals to make.“We have quite a lot of cash, we generate a lot of cash, entrepreneurs would love part of Airbnb and hold stock, so I think there’s a huge number of opportunities for us,” said Chief Executive Brian Chesky.
Although hotel nights booked grew nearly three times faster than stays in homes, hotels still only account for a single digit share of total bookings, the company said. Airbnb now predicts revenue growth in excess of mid-teens for 2026 compared to its previous guidance of low-to-mid-teens.
Airbnb earnings per share was A$1.37, US$1.03 in the quarter to June 30, with $1.03 per year ago. LSEG data showed quarterly revenue rose to $3.61 billion from $3.1 billion year earlier, outdoing analyst estimates of $3.57 billion.
Source: Reuters
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