The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, promises a global spectacle. However, in Mexico City, the excitement is tempered by a growing housing crisis. As the city prepares to welcome millions of visitors, social organizations and urban specialists are warning that the influx of tourists and the proliferation of short-term rental platforms are accelerating gentrification and displacing local residents at an alarming rate.
The Unseen Cost of Global Events: A Deep Dive into Mexico City’s Housing Woes
Data from Inside Airbnb reveals a stark reality: between December 2024 and June 2025, 770 new accommodation spaces were added in Mexico City. During the same period, an average of three residential homes were converted into tourist lodgings every two days, totaling approximately 47 properties per month. This trend is particularly concerning given the projected arrival of tens of thousands of tourists for the World Cup, with some estimates suggesting a 300% increase in rental prices in popular areas, according to The New York Times.
Organizations like Proyecto Memorial Urbano highlight that this surge in tourist offerings is drastically reducing the availability of housing for local inhabitants, deeming it a “critical” moment for the city’s already strained housing market. By mid-2025, over 27,000 active short-term rentals were recorded, with the majority being entire homes, further shrinking the residential supply.
Unequal Distribution and Regulatory Gaps
The territorial concentration of these tourist accommodations mirrors Mexico City’s inherent inequalities. A staggering 81% of these lodgings are located in just four central boroughs, with Cuauhtémoc alone accounting for nearly 46% of the total. Neighborhoods such as Roma, Condesa, and Juárez are among the most affected, witnessing a significant conversion of residential properties to tourist use. In contrast, peripheral areas show minimal presence of such offerings, underscoring a growing divide.
Furthermore, the study points to potential breaches of existing regulations. Mexico City’s Tourism Law stipulates an annual occupancy limit of 180 nights per property for short-term rentals. Yet, approximately 30% of the analyzed properties had already exceeded this threshold. Organizations contend that this practice is widespread, particularly among large property owners who benefit from the lucrative nature of short-term rentals.
Miguel Antonio Saucedo Ramírez, a litigating lawyer with three decades of experience in civil, real estate, commercial, and corporate law, noted in an interview with Animal Político that short-term rental profitability can surpass traditional contracts by 300% to 400%. This significant financial incentive drives property owners to withdraw their units from the residential market, leading to premature termination of leases and leaving families facing the daunting prospect of homelessness.
Soaring Rents and the Acceleration of Gentrification
The escalating rent prices are another direct consequence. Analyses predict increases of 25% to 40% in residential and commercial rents in host cities. In areas adjacent to stadiums, rates could surge by up to 300% during peak demand days. While specialists acknowledge that rising housing prices are not solely attributable to the World Cup and are part of pre-existing gentrification processes, they agree that the event acts as a powerful accelerant for these dynamics.
Despite regulatory reforms approved in 2024 to limit and register tourist accommodations, their full implementation remains elusive. The absence of official registries for hosts and platforms hinders effective market oversight. Civil organizations argue that this regulatory vacuum leaves the city vulnerable to the unchecked growth of this model, further eroding the right to housing for local populations.
In light of this challenging landscape, collectives and experts are advocating for stronger regulations, a thorough assessment of the city’s capacity to host mass events, and the development of alternative solutions that safeguard the right to housing for all residents.
The question remains: Can Mexico City balance the economic benefits of a global event like the World Cup with the fundamental right to affordable housing for its citizens? The answer will determine the future of thousands of families and the very fabric of the city.
