As the World Cup gets underway, international soccer fans are getting their first taste of American prices for concessions. The high cost of food and beer will require a heavy pregame buzz.
You will be able to save yourself a few bucks if you crush an extra drink or two at the bar before you head to the stadium.
Fans who are traveling from outside the United States are baffled by the menu and how it varies from venue to venue. Not every soccer match will charge the same amount of money for the same items.
Concessions prices at the World Cup are not decided by FIFA.
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. That list includes Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto and Vancouver.
Just like the domestic sporting events, the stadium is responsible for its own prices. FIFA does not set prices for food or drink at any of the 16 host venues. Nor do the countries that are playing. It is all determined by the primary owners of the stadium and their concessions partners. Every menu is different. For example, the exact same beer of the exact same size does not cost the same at Lumen Field in Seattle as it does at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Here are some examples of the World Cup prices based on what we have seen so far:
- SEATTLE
- American beer, 16oz — $17.99
- Craft / Import beer, 16oz — $18.99
- ATLANTA
- Mixed cocktail, premium single, 10oz — $12.00
- Mixed cocktail, premium double, 12oz — $20.00
- Mixed cocktail, well single, 10oz — $10.00
- Mixed cocktail, well double, 12oz — $17.00
- American draft beer, 20oz — $9.00
- Craft/Import draft beer, 20oz — $11.00
- American beer, 16oz — $8.00
- Craft/Import beer, 16oz — $10.00
- Hard seltzer/Canned cocktail, 12/16oz — $10.00
- Frozen cocktail, 16oz — $14.00
- Wine, 9oz — $9.00
- Premium wine, 9oz — $11.00
- KANSAS CITY (FAN FEST)
- Cocktails
- Golden Goal Margarita — $29.00
- Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Mango & Lime — $28.00
- Casamigos Blanco Tequila — $28.00
- Buchanan’s Whisky — $28.00
- Smirnoff Vodka — $28.00
- Captain Morgan Spiced Rum — $28.00
- Tanqueray Gin — $28.00
- American Beer
- Michelob ULTRA, 25oz — $19.00
- Busch Light, 25oz — $18.00
- Budweiser, 25oz — $19.00
- Import Beer
- Stella Artois, 25oz — $19.00
- Hard Seltzer and Canned Cocktails
- NÜTRL Pineapple — $17.00
- Cutwater Lime Margarita — $18.00
- Non-Alcoholic Beer
- Michelob Ultra Zero — $12.00
- Cocktails
- VANCOUVER (FAN FEST)
- Premium beer
- Michelob Ultra — $6.94
- Corona — $7.67
- Stella Artois — $7.67
- Domestic beer
- Stanley Park SunSetter Peach Wheat Ale — $6.94
- Northwest IPA — $7.67
- Canned cocktails
- NUTRL vodka soda — $7.67
- Cutwater lemon drop / lime margarita — $10.22
- Non-Alcoholic Beer
- Michelob Ultra Zero — $4.38
- Premium beer
- BOSTON
- Domestic beer — $15.00/$18.00
- Premium beer — $18.00/$21.00
You get the idea. The prices are different at each location.
But no matter where you go to see a game, alcohol is going to cost a lot more in the United States than overseas (and Canada). European soccer fans are not happy with the exorbitant cost compared to their home countries. At least we can drink them in the stands over here…
Food is just as expensive as beer and alcohol.
Of course, people are going to get hungry in addition to their thirst. Food is not cheap either.
- SEATTLE
- Nuts — $8.99
- Soft pretzel — $13.49
- Ice cream dots — $11.99
- Kettle corn — $13.49
- Churro — $10.99
- Cotton candy — $11.99
- KANSAS CITY (FAN FEST)
- Potato chips — $5.00
- Cheetos — $5.00
- Doritos — $5.00
- ATLANTA
- Nuts — $5.00
- BOSTON
- Hot dog — $8.50
- Cheeseburger — $14.00
- Chicken tenders and fries — $17.00
- Cheese pizza — $15.00
These are not all of the food offerings. Nor does this list include all 16 stadiums. However, the majority of American venues are going to fall more closely toward Seattle than Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is known for its fair prices. Everywhere else is not.
Just as they are with the alcohol prices, international soccer fans are not thrilled.
“No surprise in this rip-off World Cup,” said 67-year-old English fan Simon Harris.
“Good god, just no,” said another. “They really want to gouge everyone, don’t they? Sphincters, the whole lot of them. They’re squandering a ton of goodwill.”
“That better be the best pretzel I’ve ever had because that price is insane,” chimed a third.
“Looks like I will be fasting!” joked another.
Like it or not, this is how it is. If you are hoping to save as much money as possible, you will need to eat a full meal before the game and pair your pregame food with plenty of booze to maintain a buzz throughout the 90-minute match!