For a $50 fee, you could put your Kansas City home on Airbnb during the World Cup

Kansas City is poised to allow residents another way to cash in on the World Cup.

The City Council’s neighborhoods committee forwarded an ordinance on Wednesday that would allow applicants to register dwellings as short-term rentals, like an Airbnb or VRBO, for a limited amount of time during a “major event” in the city.

That would open up if the neighborhoods department determines such an event, like the FIFA World Cup in 2026, would cause a surge in demand for lodging that the city’s existing accommodations would not meet.

Such a temporary designation, which the city would publicize, could last up to 90 days. The fee to have a short-term rental during a major event would be $50, much lower than the $200 fee for a regular annual registration.

Various rules, restrictions and regulations outlined in city code would still apply to short-term rentals and where they are allowed for major events. City staff would work to ensure that rentals allowed for major events aren’t still being advertised after the time expires.

The World Cup next summer is expected to bring in 650,000 visitors to Kansas City, which will host six matches in the tournament, including a quarterfinal. To be named a host, Kansas City had to show there were at least 55,000 hotel rooms available within a 2.5-hour radius.

Closer to Arrowhead, city officials hope the permit for temporary short-term rentals during a major event will allow residents to benefit economically from the World Cup themselves. The city would benefit, too, as short-term rental operators have to pay taxes on them, but it doesn’t capture revenue from hotel stays outside the city.

Officials also note the change will keep people closer to Kansas City’s businesses and amenities.

“This short window to allow people to rent their places out is a good way for people to participate in all of the revolving money that will be in the city,” said Melissa Patterson Hazley, council member for the Third District at-Large.

The City Council is expected to take a final vote Thursday on allowing short-term rentals during major events like the World Cup.