December 12, 2025
The Boston Globe recently published an opinion piece co-authored by Andrey Fradkin, Associate Professor of Marketing, examining whether Boston is ready to host the influx of visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fradkin and his co-author, Chiara Farronato, argue that the city’s current short-term rental regulations, designed for typical travel demand, could leave Boston unprepared for an event of this scale. Without temporary adjustments, they warn the city may face acute lodging shortages, sharply higher hotel prices, and a rise in illegal rentals as demand surges.
Drawing on economic research and lessons from past World Cups, the authors show that more flexible short-term rental policies can expand accommodation supply when it’s needed most, helping stabilize prices and increase visitor spending. They recommend temporarily easing owner-occupancy requirements, waiving registration fees, and limiting each owner to a single unit during the tournament.
Taken together, these changes could unlock thousands of additional units, generate meaningful tax revenue, and allow Boston to fully realize the economic and reputational benefits of hosting a global event.
