‘Daylight robbery but worth it’, what fans are really spending at World Cup
Despite criticism and concerns over affordability, many fans interviewed insisted the World Cup experience ultimately justified the expense, even if they described it as financially painful.
Going to the World Cup is a dream for many football supporters, often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for fans attending matches across the host nations of the United States, Canada and Mexico, the reality is proving extremely expensive, with costs running into thousands of dollars before even stepping into a stadium.
In the first days of the tournament, BBC reporters spoke to fans about their total spending, which includes match tickets, international and domestic flights, accommodation, ground transport, and stadium food and drink — all of which add up quickly in what is already one of the most commercially expensive global sporting events.
One Norwegian fan living in the US, Morten Oftedal, said he spent around $4,000 in total for three people to attend a single match in Massachusetts.
The cost included tickets priced at $380 each, expensive hotel stays, and long-distance travel, which he partly covered using frequent flyer points. Despite calling the price “insane,” he said it was a rare opportunity for his 82-year-old father to see Norway play at a World Cup for the first time in decades.
Other fans echoed similar feelings of frustration mixed with enthusiasm. British supporter Iain Bagwell spent about $1,200 per ticket to take his son to watch England face Croatia in Dallas, describing the price as “daylight robbery” at first.
However, he later admitted the experience and the memories made the cost more acceptable, especially when compared to even higher prices seen in other major US sporting events, BBC reports.
Traveling fans from Bosnia and Herzegovina also reported steep expenses. Admir and Alisa Maric paid roughly CAD $5,400 for their trip to Toronto, including tickets priced at around $890 each, hotel costs of about $600 per night, and flights costing more than $1,000 per person. While acknowledging the high cost, they said attending a World Cup match was an unforgettable experience.
In Mexico, fans highlighted an even more striking contrast between ticket prices and local incomes. Some seats for opening matches were reportedly sold for up to $4,000, with one supporter noting that a single ticket could equal around three months’ rent in Mexico City. Despite this, many fans still said the experience of watching their teams on the world stage was “priceless,” even if the cost was difficult to justify.
Beyond tickets and travel, stadium prices have also drawn attention. Reports suggest beer can cost up to $16 at some venues, while transport to stadiums has been significantly marked up for tournament matches.
Despite criticism and concerns over affordability, many fans interviewed insisted the World Cup experience ultimately justified the expense, even if they described it as financially painful.
