Airbnb reports spike in interest for stays in cities hosting major sporting events

Platform also notes surge in demand for experiential trips and outdoor amenities

Airbnb has revealed its 2024 summer booking trends, reporting a surge in interest for  accommodation at major sporting events and experiential stays.

The short-stay rental platform said host cities like Paris, Lille, and Munich are trending as excitement builds ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and European Football Championships.

Paris is Airbnb’s most searched city worldwide for stays this summer. Listing page views during the period the games take place have been on average 11 times higher in the French host cities, which also include Lille, Lyon and Versailles, compared to last year.

As well as Munich, other German cities hosting Euro 2024 matches - such as Dortmund and Stuttgart – are trending in Airbnb search results.

Airbnb says guests are seeking ‘experiential stays that are destinations in their own right’, with searches for its ‘play’ category more than doubling for this summer.

Airbnb has seen a 30% increase in searches for outdoor amenities in June, July and August.

The site’s ‘play’ category features listings with amenities such as basketball courts, game rooms, trampolines and water slides.

Families are also seeking outdoor space and beachside stays, with searches for outdoor amenities like pools and BBQs increasing by 30% for family travel.

Almost three in five Airbnb guests say being able to fit all their family in one place is a major deciding factor when booking, according to a recent survey by the company.

And 71% say amenities such as kitchens, workspaces and backyards are important when booking.