Bryan Charap Chief Financial Officer | realtors.com
Football fans are flocking to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, leading to a surge in short-term rental prices. The game, scheduled for February 9 at Caesars Superdome, will feature the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. According to Beyond, a vacation rental revenue management company, hosts in New Orleans are earning an average of $1,450 per night—over eight times the usual rate.
Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, stated: “It’s incredible for New Orleans, and we’re expecting to see these rates go even higher.” She added that hosts using Beyond are seeing an 11% premium over the average nightly rate.
Rental analytics company AirDNA reported that as of January 30, revenue from platforms like Airbnb and VRBO had reached $10.5 million for the weekend surrounding the game. These platforms are charging between $670 and $690 per night, significantly higher than typical rates.
New Orleans' limited supply of short-term rentals allows for higher pricing compared to previous Super Bowl host cities such as Phoenix and Las Vegas. The timing of the event coincides with Mardi Gras festivities, further increasing demand.
Airbnb noted a 400% increase in searches for accommodations during the game weekend compared to the prior weekend. Haven Thorn from Airbnb commented: “Generally speaking, big events like the Super Bowl spark significant travel demand that boosts local economies—hosts earn supplemental income and nearby businesses benefit from visitor spending.”
Despite high prices and occupancy rates reaching 81%, last-minute bookers can still find deals by contacting property managers directly through sites like BookNola.com and BigEasyManagement.com. Brinkman advised: “It’s all about going direct... Call these managers and see if they’re willing to strike a deal.”
Alerts Sign-up