From cricket-mad fans at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series to packed stadiums at the AFL Grand Final, the Australian Open and LIV Golf Adelaide, sporting fever is gripping Australia — and Airbnb says fans are packing their bags and booking homes in record numbers to be part of the action.
Michael Crosby, Head of Public Policy Australia and New Zealand at Airbnb, said in a LinkedIn post:
“From the AFL Grand Final to the Australian Open and LIV Golf Adelaide, there’s no shortage of blockbuster events pulling in crowds across the country.”
A new Airbnb study reveals that 70% of Australians are willing to travel for sport, and it’s not just major games drawing crowds. Thousands also travel annually for grassroots competitions such as WA’s Country Week, where 3,000 students and 2,000 staff descend on Perth, and Canberra’s Kanga Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.
“And all those travellers need somewhere to stay,” Crosby said.
“More and more, these trips are becoming shared getaways – with groups booking homes together to keep things affordable and memorable.”
According to YouGov data, Aussie sports fans are willing to spend an average of $108 per person per night on accommodation, with the economic impact extending beyond stadiums to neighbourhood cafés, pubs, and small businesses.
With Australia’s sporting calendar heating up, demand for accommodation is spiking nationwide. “So if you’ve got a spare room or a place that’s occasionally free, it’s worth thinking about opening the door – it’s a small way to give back to your community while earning a little extra,” Crosby added.
Airbnb says major sporting events are helping local economies and supporting hosts. During Sydney’s cricket test in January, a typical Airbnb host earned $1,390 over the weekend.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, highlighted strong generational interest in sports tourism. “Millennials are leading the pack with 78 percent having travelled for sport in the past six months while Gen Z are particularly keen on following the Lions rugby tour.”
“Fans flock to Airbnb because they want to be close to the action with research revealing over 55 percent prioritise location when booking sport-related travel.”
Data also shows 66% of NSW residents, 61% of Queenslanders and 58% of Victorians plan to travel for sport this year, with Sydney topping the sporting destination list, closely followed by Melbourne.
Wheeldon added, “Group bookings are particularly popular with people opting to stay together for events such as the men’s Ashes in Brisbane”
“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.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series shattered attendance records across top-tier cricket venues, becoming the most watched Test series alongside the Ashes. A staggering 837,879 fans attended across six weeks.
At the MCG, a total of 373,691 spectators turned out, including 74,362 on Day 5, the largest-ever final day crowd for a Test match. Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox remarked:
“I’ve not seen anything like it at a cricket match… I thought Taylor Swift was big, but this has been something else.”
In Sydney, a record-breaking 47,566 fans packed the SCG for the Pink Test on Day 1, while Perth recorded attendance highs with 96,463 fans over three days.
Adelaide Oval also saw strong numbers, with 36,225 on Day 1 and a sellout 51,642 on Day 2, prompting SA Premier Peter Malinauskas to celebrate online:
“Attendance: 50,186 – the highest ever for an Australia v India Test match at Adelaide Oval!”
Even a washout in Brisbane couldn’t dampen spirits, with 90,000 fans attending despite rain halting play.
Events like the TCS Sydney Marathon are further boosting Airbnb searches. “With 35,000 participants and many travelling from interstate or overseas, there are a huge number of runners looking for accommodation,” said Wayne Larden, CEO and Race Director of the TCS Sydney Marathon.
With 59% of Australians having already travelled or planning to travel for sport in 2025, Airbnb sees the trend continuing – creating an opportunity for more locals to earn income and for communities to share in the sporting buzz.
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