Arlington Council Gets Update on World Cup Hotel, Vacation Rentals
Published on May 20, 2026
By Cynthia Lemus, Office of Communication
As Arlington prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, City leaders are continuing efforts to balance tourism growth with neighborhood quality of life.
During Tuesday, May 19, Arlington City Council meeting, staff provided updates on the City’s short-term rental regulations, hotel occupancy trends and hospitality outlook leading up to the tournament.
Arlington’s short-term rental ordinance, adopted in 2019, remains in effect and will continue unchanged throughout the World Cup. The City uses Host Compliance, an AI-powered platform that monitors more than 60 rental websites to help identify unpermitted properties and assist with complaint tracking and enforcement.
Currently, Arlington has issued 310 short-term rental permits, with 24 permits pending renewal, 10 applications pending payment and 36 properties awaiting inspection. Officials also reported that 13 citations have been sent to Municipal Court tied to short-term rental violations.
Short-term rentals are only allowed in specific zoning districts and within the City’s established Short-Term Rental Zone near the Entertainment District. Operators must obtain permits, complete inspections and comply with City requirements related to occupancy, parking, noise and safety standards. STR operators can apply for a permit online at ArlingtonPermits.com.
“Arlington has established clear regulations that allow short-term rentals to operate while helping protect neighborhoods and maintain public safety,” said Jennifer Wichmann, Arlington Deputy City Manager. “As we prepare for an increase in visitors during the World Cup, our focus remains on education, compliance and proactive enforcement.”
At the same meeting, Brent DeRaad, President and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau shared updates on hotel bookings connected to World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium.
“Arlington hotels typically book more than half of their room nights within 14 days of guests arriving,” said DeRaad. “Right now, the England versus Croatia match on July 17 and the semifinal match on July 14 are showing the highest booking activity.”
Officials also shared that ticket buyers for Arlington’s nine World Cup matches currently represent between 125 and 160 countries per match, highlighting the city’s global reach as a host destination.
For the latest updates on World Cup preparations, transportation and what to expect in Arlington, visit ArlingtonTX.gov/WorldCup.