Atlanta's Airbnb Boom: What to Expect in 2026

Atlanta is gearing up for a surge in visitors during the 2026 World Cup. Many locals are planning to rent out their homes through Airbnb. Nadia Giordani, a Cabbagetown resident, is one of them. She helps others get ready to host guests. Giordani expects a lot of interest in the coming months. Airbnb says at least 6, 000 visitors will stay in local rentals during the World Cup. That's a lot of people! And the rush has already started. About 11% of short-term rentals in metro Atlanta are booked for the inaugural match. Another 10% are booked for the semifinal. That's not a huge number, but it's still early. Bram Gallagher, AirDNA's director of economics, says this is unusual. The World Cup isn't the only thing happening in Atlanta. The city is also dealing with issues in its special education program. Public schools in Atlanta, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties are shifting away from the GNETS model. They say this will help students more and keep them closer to home. In other news, it's Election Day for state House seats in Canton and south of Athens. State Sen. Colton Moore wants to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene's seat. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger wants to lift limits on his own fundraising. And State Rep. Sharon Henderson faces federal unemployment fraud charges. The Georgia state Capitol Christmas tree is a 26-foot red cedar donated by folks in Floyd County. It's a beautiful tree, and it's a great way to celebrate the holiday season. The tree will stay in the rotunda through the holidays. The AJC dining friends are releasing their list of the city's 10 best new restaurants of 2025. One of the restaurants is described as "one of the most universally beloved new openings of 2025. " It's the first new restaurant from Miller Union chef and owner Steven Satterfield in more than a decade. In other news, a man pleaded guilty in the 2022 stabbing death of a Buckhead grandmother. Authorities said Eleanor Bowles, 77, stumbled upon the suspect trying to steal her SUV. A Sandy Springs woman will be on "Shark Tank" to talk about her small stockings. And Georgia Tech and BYU coaches bonded over their favorite Pop-Tarts. On this date in 1969, President Nixon declared that the Vietnam War would end regardless of talks. Spoiler alert: The war did not end in 1969. The U. S. didn't pull out until 1973. Saigon didn't fall until 1975.