Macklin Celebrini trades hockey for hosting duties during FIFA World Cup in Toronto

San Jose Sharks and Team Canada hockey star partners up with Airbnb for hosting experience and soccer camp during games Toronto.

Published Jun 04, 2026  •  3 minute read

Macklin Celebrini of Canada shoots the puck during the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Getty Images

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Macklin Celebrini is just like us.

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He may be one of the rising stars of the NHL and fresh off captain duties at the IIHF men’s world championship, but he’s using the FIFA World Cup festivities as a chance to get to know Toronto a little better.

The difference is, of course, that he’s doing it through a partnership with Airbnb.

The Vancouver native will spend Canada Day in Toronto, hosting a multi-day experience with Airbnb to commemorate the FIFA festivities in the city. The team reached out to Celebrini, who readily agreed because of his relationship to soccer.

“Both my parents played soccer growing up. My dad played professionally with the Vancouver 86ers and represented Canada, and my mom was a captain in college, so the sport has always been a big part of my family,” Celebrini said. “Given my family’s background, I felt like I had something genuine to bring to it, so it wasn’t a hard decision.

“The World Cup coming to Canada is a massive moment, and being able to be part of that in some way was exciting.”

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The Celebrini experience includes a two-night stay in Toronto and a soccer camp with the young NHL phenom and a professional coach, waterfront fireworks, and tickets to the city’s final World Cup match. While it gives Celebrini a chance to play host and teach people about the beautiful game, it also gives him a chance to learn about one of the host cities.

“I visit Toronto like other travellers — it’s just that I travel to play the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m from Vancouver, so Toronto is still new to me, and part of this experience is discovering more about the other side of the country,” the Olympian said. “I’m looking forward to seeing more of the city beyond Scotiabank Arena — from the food scene to being part of the energy during the World Cup. I can’t wait for fans to experience that, too.”

Celebrini’s history with the beautiful game and his experience representing Canada on the global stage made him the perfect fit for the job, despite Toronto not being his hometown.

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“Macklin is a generational talent. His meteoric rise, from his incredible performance at the Winter Olympics to captaining Team Canada at the IIHF world championship, speaks for itself,” said Hannah Parish, Airbnb’s Country Manager, Canada. “But what really made him the perfect partner for this is that unique combination of worlds.

“Growing up with parents who played soccer, his connection to the beautiful game is completely authentic, and that’s exactly what this experience needed.”

A free experience

Arguably the most jaw-dropping part of the experience is that it’s free. Spending a few days with a young superstar in one of the biggest moments in Canadian sports does not cost a thing.

So, naturally, opening up the experience to five guests and their plus-ones meant that spots sold out instantaneously. So Celebrini, ever the host and captain, opened 30 more spots for the soccer camp portion of the experience — which includes time on a custom pitch with Celebrini and pro soccer coach, and they become available on Friday at noon ET on the Airbnb website.

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Having the World Cup hosting go from Toronto to Vancouver also is a huge moment for Celebrini, who played soccer until he fully committed to hockey at age 12. And, though he’s a professional athlete himself, he’s turning the tables to take it all in like a fan.

“I’m a big Canada supporter and, if Alphonso Davies is in the lineup, I think Canada has a real shot. I’m also going to the round-of-16 game in Vancouver on July 7, so I’m pretty excited about that,” he said.

“For me personally, growing up going to Whitecaps games with my dad, having a World Cup in our backyard is pretty surreal.”

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