This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s New Year’s Eve anti-party measures, Expedia’s move to deepen its experiences business, rising World Cup-driven demand in Los Angeles, and a key legal ruling in Nevada that could reshape local short-term rental enforcement. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb is activating heightened anti-party technology in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, and Australia to help reduce the risk of disruptive parties during New Year’s Eve this year. The company says the system is designed to identify and block higher-risk bookings while steering guests toward lower-risk accommodations, such as private rooms or hotel rooms. Airbnb says that last New Year’s Eve, similar measures prevented over 20,000 people in the U.S. and more than 3,000 people in Canada from booking an entire home listing. The continued rollout of this technology during holiday weekends is designed to support positive stays and help vacation rental operators protect their homes and surrounding communities during peak travel periods.
Expedia announced an agreement to acquire Tiqets, an Amsterdam-based platform for museum and attraction tickets, following an extended sales process that drew interest from multiple travel companies, including Airbnb. The deal gives Expedia more direct access to major European attractions and reduces its reliance on third-party partners as it continues to expand its experiences business. In announcing the acquisition, Expedia said the move supports its broader travel strategy. “The Tiqets integration is a key step toward our vision to build the most comprehensive, global travel solution,” said Alfonso Paredes, President of B2B at Expedia Group. For vacation rental operators, the deal signals continued investment across the travel industry in experiences as a growing part of how guests plan and book trips.
The Los Angeles Times released an article highlighting the increased pricing and demand for short-term rentals in Los Angeles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The article spotlights one Airbnb host near SoFi Stadium who raised their rates from $1,000 to $10,000 for a two-night stay. The article notes that currently more than 70 percent of short-term rentals in the Inglewood area are already booked for June 12th, the night of the opening match, representing a 58 percent increase compared to typical reservation rates. The World Cup is also being viewed as an early test case for the 2028 Olympics, which are expected to bring an estimated 15 million visitors to the region. This surge in demand is great news for vacation rental operators in the area, presenting an excellent opportunity to maximize revenue during the global event through seasonal rates or dynamic pricing.
In a recent ruling, Nevada District Court Judge Miranda Du paused fines, penalties, and liens against Clark County homeowners for short-term rental activity, signaling that the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association and its co-plaintiff, Airbnb, are likely to succeed in a legal battle that dates back to 2021. Judge Du ruled that prohibiting property owners from renting their homes likely violates due process protections under the 14th Amendment. Under the injunction, Clark County is temporarily barred from requiring short-term rental licenses, issuing fines or liens, and declaring short-term rentals a public nuisance. For vacation rental operators, the ruling represents a significant win amid the ongoing efforts of local governments to regulate short-term rentals.
With upcoming global events and ongoing regulatory discussions shaping the vacation rental market, expect continued changes across the rental landscape as we near the end of 2025. Check back next week for the latest news.