Why 2026 Could Be Cardiff's Biggest Year Yet for Short-Term Rentals

In 2026, Cardiff’s event calendar is packed — from stadium shows and castle concerts to Six Nations weekends and summer festivals. In this post, Nia at Guesture breaks down what’s coming and what it could mean for short-stay demand and nightly rates across the city.

If you own a property in Cardiff—or you've been considering entering the short-term rental market—I have some genuinely exciting news to share with you. As we've been mapping out what's ahead for our Cardiff properties this year, it's become crystal clear: 2026 is shaping up to be absolutely extraordinary for accommodation demand in our city.

I'm Nia, and together with Pedro we run Guesture—a family business that's been managing premium serviced accommodation in South Wales since 2017. One of the things we pride ourselves on is really understanding our local market. We don't just manage properties; we live and breathe Cardiff's events calendar, visitor patterns, and what makes this city such a brilliant destination.

A Perfect Storm of Events

What makes this year different? It's the sheer volume and variety of major events happening across Cardiff throughout 2026. We're not talking about a quiet January followed by a busy summer—we're looking at consistent, high-impact events from February right through to autumn.

Let me walk you through what we're seeing.

The Music Scene Is Absolutely Buzzing

Cardiff has always been a music city, but 2026's concert calendar is genuinely remarkable. The Principality Stadium alone is hosting massive acts that will bring tens of thousands of people into the city:

But it's not just about the stadium giants. Cardiff Castle is hosting an absolutely stellar summer season.

Pete Tong's Ibiza Classics on 11/06/2026 kicks things off, followed by MIKA on 12/06/2026 (coinciding with Pride celebrations), and then a packed calendar featuring Katy Perry (30/06/2026), Bastille (10/07/2026), The Wombats (25/07/2026), The Streets (31/07/2026), and many more throughout July and August.

Each of these castle concerts brings several thousand people into the city centre—people who want to be within walking distance of the venue, who value quality accommodation, and who often turn a concert night into a full weekend in Cardiff.

The Motorpoint Arena (Utilita Arena) is also keeping things lively. Peter Kay is doing an extended run from 23/01/2026 through 07/02/2026—that's two solid weeks of sold-out comedy shows bringing up to 7,500 people per night into Cardiff.

Jason Derulo (02/02/2026), Deftones (18/02/2026), The 1975 (26/02/2026), and Dermot Kennedy (01/06/2026) are just a few highlights from a packed arena schedule.

Rugby Brings Its Own Magic

Anyone who's experienced Six Nations weekend in Cardiff knows the atmosphere is electric—and the demand for accommodation is absolutely relentless. Wales has three home fixtures at the Principality Stadium in 2026:

• Wales v France (15/02/2026)

• Wales v Scotland (21/02/2026)

• Wales v Italy (14/03/2026)

Even when Wales performs as unfortunately as it did this year, the city still transforms.

Each match brings 74,500 fans to the stadium, with thousands more visiting the city for the

wider rugby weekend experience. Travelling fans often book accommodation months in advance, and the best properties are snapped up quickly.

Beyond Six Nations, we've got regular Cardiff City football matches throughout the year (drawing between 15,000 and 33,000 depending on the opposition) and the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team playing regular home games at the Ice Arena Wales.

Festivals That Define Our Summer

Cardiff's festival scene has grown brilliantly over recent years, and 2026 is no exception:

• Pride Cymru (June) brings tens of thousands to the city centre for a vibrant weekend celebration

• Cardiff Mela (21/06/2026) at Roald Dahl Plass celebrates multiculturalism and attracts visitors from across South Wales and beyond

• Tafwyl (June/July) in Bute Park has grown into a massive Welsh-language festival drawing up to 40,000 people over a weekend

• Blackbird Festival (27/06/2026) is a new rock festival at Cardiff Castle with a strong lineup

• DEPOT in the Castle (25/07/2026)—a consistently sold-out one-day festival

• Film & Comic Con Cardiff (12/09/2026-13/09/2026) at the Utilita Arena brings pop culture fans from across the UK

  
  

What This Actually Means for Property Owners

If you're already in the short-term rental market in Cardiff, you probably don't need me to tell you that this kind of events calendar translates directly into occupancy and revenue. But let me put it plainly: consistent, high-impact events mean consistent demand.

What we've learned from managing properties through previous busy years is that it's not just about having accommodation available—it's about having the right property, in the right location, marketed on the right platforms, at the right price.

The Opportunity (And the Challenge)

Here's what often happens during major event weekends: accommodation in Cardiff fills up quickly, prices naturally increase due to demand, and visitors start looking further afield—Newport, Penarth, even Bristol in some cases. Property owners who are well-positioned and well-managed can see exceptional returns during these periods.

But—and this is important—it requires proper preparation. Events like these attract guests with high expectations. They're often spending significant money on concert tickets, match tickets, or festival passes. They want accommodation that matches the quality of their overall experience. They want seamless check-in, spotless properties, responsive communication, and that extra bit of care that makes them feel looked after.

This is exactly where we've built our expertise over nearly a decade in this market.

How Guesture Approaches Event Season

I'll be honest with you—we're not trying to manage hundreds of properties. That's not our model, and it never has been. What we focus on is managing the right properties to exceptional standards, treating each one as if it were our own (because honestly, that's how Pedro and I started—hosting guests in our own home while Pedro was managing hotels).

For 2026, our approach is built on a few key things:

First, we know the Cardiff market inside and out. We understand which events drive the most demand, what guests are looking for during different types of events, and how to price dynamically to maximise returns while staying competitive.

Second, we've built relationships with the right platforms. Our properties are distributed across over 300 booking sites—including premium partnerships with Marriott Homes & Villas and Plum Guide—which means we're reaching the exact guests who are looking for quality accommodation during major events.

Third, we bring genuine hospitality expertise. Pedro's background in professional hotel management means we approach every property with hotel-quality standards: Egyptian cotton linens, premium toiletries, professional cleaning between every stay, 24/7 guest communication, and all those small touches that turn a good stay into a great one.

And finally, we stay on top of everything. During busy event periods, things can get hectic. Guests need quick responses, check-ins need to run smoothly, and any issues need sorting immediately. We've built our systems and our team to handle high-demand periods without dropping the ball.

Looking Ahead

As I write this in late January, we're already seeing strong booking momentum for the spring and summer events. Properties that are well-presented, professionally managed, and intelligently priced are performing beautifully.

If you're a property owner wondering whether 2026 is the right time to enter the short-term rental market in Cardiff—or if you're currently self-managing and finding it increasingly time-consuming—I'd genuinely love to have a conversation. No pressure, no hard sell. Just an honest chat about what we're seeing in the market and whether Guesture might be the right fit for you.

The events calendar speaks for itself: Cardiff is buzzing in 2026. The opportunity is there. The question is simply whether your property is positioned to make the most of it.

If you'd like to explore what that might look like for your property, drop us a message through our website at guesture.co.uk. We'd be happy to share more detailed insights about your specific location and property type.

Here's to a brilliant year ahead for Cardiff—and for everyone who's part of making this city such a wonderful place to visit.