The Key Takeaways
- YouGov’s research indicates that 70% of Aussies plan to travel within Australia this year, either to attend or to take part in a sporting competition.
- Gen Z and Millennials have a particular interest in the Lions tour.
- People prefer to book in groups for events like the Ashes men’s match in Brisbane
Airbnb hosts can earn extra income by hosting major sporting events. Australians are passionate about sport, and they love to travel. A typical Airbnb host, for example, earned $1,390 during the weekend of a cricket test in Sydney, earlier this year.1.
Airbnb is also an essential part of helping cities meet the demands for sports fans and delivering benefits to local communities, including:
- Spending at local businesses such as cafes, pubs, and restaurants
- Driving economic growth and tourist development in cities and regions throughout Australia
- Supporting local hosts helps many to make ends meet
YouGov’s research indicates that 70% of Aussies plan to travel within Australia this year, either to attend or to take part in a sporting competition.2 Sydney is the top sporting destination, followed by Melbourne3.
In the past six-months, 78 percent of millennials have traveled for sports.4 Gen Z is especially interested in the Lions tour5. Airbnb fans want to stay close to the action. A study revealed that over 55 percent give priority to location when booking sports-related travel. Susan Wheeldon is the Airbnb Country Manager in Australia and New Zealand
Two-thirds of New South Wales residents (66%) plan to travel this year for sport, followed by Queenslanders (61%), and Victorians (58%). YouGov shows that across Australia, sport fans will spend an average of $108 a night per person on accommodation. This creates a ripple impact on local economies. The data also shows that Australians are still willing to spend on live sports despite the high cost of living.
Wheeldon is added People prefer to book in groups for events like the Ashes men’s match in Brisbane6. Groups then spend money at local cafes, pubs and restaurants and so it’s the community who reaps the benefits while fans save money by splitting the cost of a large property – something that is a key benefit of Airbnb.
Airbnb searches for events both domestically and globally are increasing, including the NRL State of Origin and AFL Grand Final. Events that draw global visitors like the men’s Ashes Series and Sydney Marathon also have seen an increase.7.
Wayne Larden is the CEO and Race director of the TCS Sydney Marathon. There are 35,000 runners, many of whom travel from out-of-state and overseas. Airbnb can be a more cost-effective and convenient way to travel with friends or family. Airbnb’s appeal will increase as we grow and demand for hotel rooms will rise.
The time is now for Aussies to lower their living expenses by becoming Airbnb hosts.
Elia Palaambino was an Airbnb host in Melbourne who said that Hosting sporting events has been a memorable experience for me, as I live just across the street from the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit. From F1 fans, to Australian Open visitors and others who came for the excitement of the event, I’ve hosted countless people. There is a unique buzz around these weekends, and my home always feels like it’s part of the excitement. Hosting during these sporting weekends really helps me manage the cost of living – especially with my mortgage. I’ve also been able to save up money to go home to Italy and see my family.
Visit this page for more information about becoming a host. here.
The full report is available. here.
The median earnings for the cricket match in Sydney from 3 January to 6 January 2025 is the 1 typical host earnings.
Based on a YouGov online survey conducted between 1 May and the 5th of May 2025 with a sample size 1,031 Australians over 18 years old.
Based on an online YouGov poll conducted by a random sample of 1,031 Australians between the dates 1 May to 5 May 2025.
Based on a YouGov Online Survey between 1 May 2025 and 5 May 2025, a sample of 1,031 Australians (defined as Millennials) aged 18 or older.
5 Gen Zs defined as ages 18–24 based on internal Airbnb data from Q1 2025, of nights booked week before and week of event in cities hosting British and Irish Lions Tour (Brisbane 19 July, Melbourne 26 July and Sydney 2 August 2025)
6 Demographics of travellers travelling in groups 3+, based upon internal Airbnb data for Q1 2025. Nights booked the week before or week after The Ashes, Brisbane, Dec 4-8, 2025.
7 For state of origin: Based on internal Airbnb data for searches by domestic travellers completed in Q1 of 2025 for stays in Brisbane, with check-in dates of May 28, 2025 compared to searches done in the same period of Q1 of 2024. For the Ashes and Sydney Marathon: Based on Airbnb internal data for searches completed in Q1 2025 by international travellers for stays in Perth and Sydney with check-in dates of 21 – 25 November, 31 August 2025 respectively, compared to searches in the same time period in Q1 2024
Airbnb
Airbnb was founded in 2007 by two hosts in San Francisco who welcomed three guests into their home. Since then, the company has grown to 5 million hosts in over 200 countries. Everyday, hosts offer guests unique stays and experiences to help them connect with local communities.
What Airbnb.org is all about
Airbnb.org The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing temporary accommodation for people during times of crisis. Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization that operates independently, leveraging Airbnb, Inc. technology, services, other resources, at no cost, to fulfill Airbnb.org’s charitable mission. Airbnb.org’s inspiration began in 2012 when a single host, Shell, opened her home for people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Airbnb hosts can now provide accommodation to people in need. Since then the program has evolved into a focus on emergency responses and helping provide stays for evacuees. Since then, hosts opened their homes to provide accommodation to 100,000 people during times of crisis. Airbnb.org is a completely separate entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. doesn’t charge any service fees on Airbnb.org supported stay.
