Report shows Airbnb hosts hiking rental prices for Super Bowl

Shakopee Valley News

While New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles fans will be looking for their teams to bring in a win during Super Bowl 52, Twin Cities residents will be looking in to bring in some dough of the green variety.

We're talking cash money.

And more money means more problems — for the fans. A report by group AirbnbWATCH says Twin Cities Airbnb hosts are increasing prices by as much as $5,000 per night for Feb. 1-4.

According to the report, one home that normally rented for $75 per night was renting for $5,000 per night the weekend of the Super Bowl, which will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. That's a little over $200 for a normal weekend but more than $15,000 for the weekend of the big game.

"Airbnb's price gouging is a dream killer for many football fans hoping to go to the game or other Super Bowl events in Minneapolis," AirbnbWATCH spokesperson Lauren Windsor said in a news release. "Permitting their hosts to raise rent by these astronomical rates, Airbnb will also hurt Minneapolis small businesses and vendors as visitors will have less disposable income to spend while in the city for Super Bowl weekend."

AirbnbWATCH is supported by hotel groups, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The study linked to a number of homes available on Airbnb in Minneapolis with price increases of 2,442 percent up to 6,567 percent.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime (or two or three times in a lifetime, if you get to be very old) event and people are trying to get in on once-in-a-lifetime cash.