Airbnb stock jumps 11% as World Cup travel sparks a surprise growth burst

Airbnb reported better-than-expected second-quarter results on Thursday, driven by strong global travel demand and a surge in first-time users during the FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Airbnb also raised its forecast for the year, citing an expansion in global demand as it uses artificial intelligence to improve its platform.

The results sent Airbnb shares nearly 11% higher in after-hours trading as investors welcomed stronger revenue growth and an improved outlook for next year.

Travel-related companies, including Booking Holdings and Expedia, also benefited from the global football tournament, which boosted tourism across North America. Airbnb said the region recorded its fastest booking growth in nearly three years during the quarter.

"We've delivered some of the strongest results in years," Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky said during the earnings call.

"More new guests are trying Airbnb than we've seen in years."

Globally, nights and experiences booked rose 10% year over year to 148.3 million during the quarter, reflecting sustained travel demand despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Revenue beats expectations

The company generated quarterly revenue of $3.61 billion, up from $3.1 billion a year earlier and ahead of analysts' estimates of $3.57 billion, according to LSEG data.

Quarterly earnings per share rose to $1.37 from $1.03 in the same period last year.

North America, which accounted for more than 40% of Airbnb's revenue in 2025, posted high-single-digit growth in bookings during the quarter.

The company said stronger demand from markets such as Brazil and India, together with World Cup-related travel, helped offset pressure from the Iran conflict, which disrupted long-haul travel through flight rerouting and higher jet fuel costs.

Airbnb also said travel demand in the Middle East has continued to recover steadily.

Expansion beyond home rentals gathers pace

Airbnb has continued expanding beyond its traditional vacation rental business.

Since last May, the company has added services such as private chefs, car rentals and thousands of boutique hotels to its platform as it seeks to become a broader travel marketplace.

Hotel nights booked grew nearly three times faster than home bookings during the quarter, although hotels still account for only a single-digit share of total nights booked.

Chesky said Airbnb's transformation remains in its early stages.

According to him, the company first aims to become a comprehensive travel platform before expanding further into everyday living services and eventually creating new ways for people to connect through the platform.

The company also indicated it is evaluating acquisition opportunities to accelerate that strategy.

"There are a lot of merger and acquisition opportunities. We have quite a lot of cash, we generate a lot of cash, entrepreneurs would love part of Airbnb and to hold stock, so I think there's a huge number of opportunities for us," Chesky said.

The expansion increasingly places Airbnb in direct competition with established online travel companies including Booking Holdings, Expedia and Tripadvisor.

Company raises 2026 revenue outlook

Reflecting confidence in demand trends, Airbnb increased its revenue growth forecast for 2026.

The company now expects revenue to grow at least in the mid-teens, compared with its earlier projection of low-to-mid-teen growth.

The improved guidance suggests management expects travel demand to remain resilient even as global economic and geopolitical uncertainties continue to influence consumer spending.

Investors have been closely watching Airbnb's ability to diversify beyond home-sharing while maintaining strong booking growth, and the latest results indicate those efforts are beginning to contribute meaningfully to the company's performance.

Airbnb's stock has experienced some volatility this year, largely due to president Trump's decision earlier this year to halt issuing immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Brazil, Nigeria, and Somalia, and then due to the US-Iran war.