IPC and IOC partnering with Airbnb for the Athlete Travel Grant 2026 edition
Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb offers 1,000 grants to support athlete accommodation needs in their pursuit of qualifying for the next Olympic or Paralympic Games 10 Jun 2026
For the sixth time, Airbnb teamed up with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and IOC (International Olympic Committee) in the launch of the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant 2026 to offer athletes the chance to apply for a USD 2,000 Grant to book Airbnb stays around the world to support competition or training related trips, all with the aim of helping ease the financial strain of travel.
Airbnb’s enhanced search filters enable athletes to meet their unique accessibility accommodation needs and stay close to where they train and compete while allowing focusing solely on their performances.
In the past five editions over USD 8 million in support has been provided to Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes as part of the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant program.
To be eligible, all athletes must:
Be currently competing at elite level under an IPC-recognized federation in a sport that is part of the official program of the LA28 Paralympic Games or French Alps 2030 Paralympic Winter Games.
Not be currently serving sanctions or be currently under a provisional suspension for a contravention of the Olympic Charter or the IPC Handbook, any doping-related offence or any other act against the integrity of sports competitions (e.g. match fixing).
Be legally eligible to create an Airbnb account and receive Athlete Travel Support Credits from Airbnb. Airbnb users must be 18+ years of age.
Athlete Competition Partners supporting a Paralympic athlete are eligible to receive the grant only as part of the Application of the athlete they support. “Athlete Competition Partner” means persons without eligible impairment whose participation is essential to guiding, piloting and directing Paralympic athletes in designated sport classes that require such assistance during competition. The Applicant must therefore indicate the name of the Athlete Competition Partner they compete with and their relevant information in the Application. Only one athlete competition partner per athlete can receive the grant.
During the submission of the application, athletes are required to describe their personal backgrounds, their sporting goals and to demonstrate the need for support and how the grant will help them on their Paralympic journey.
Wendy Gardner - Para archery - USA
“I used my grant to secure housing for several critical National tournaments. When a major tournament is in town, traditional hotels become incredibly expensive, crowded, and loud. Securing a quiet Airbnb was a total game-changer. It allowed us to compete at the highest level and then return to a restful, comfortable home environment to recharge.
Furthermore, because the properties we booked had extra space, I was able to share this blessing and house two of my teammates on their own journeys to LA 28.”
Applications for the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grants are open between 9 June until 11.59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on 7 July 2026.
For any additional information, please refer to the T&Cs and FAQs, or send an email to athlete365@olympic.org.
