World Cup 2026 Fans Face Huge Cost Gap: New Report Reveals Most and Least Expensive Host Cities
A new report from Sweepstakes Table, an online resource for sweepstakes casinos in the United States, has identified the most expensive cities for fans to watch the World Series. It also names the cities in which fans will pay the least to watch the matches. Sweepstakes Table determined the results by analyzing matchday costs throughout all 16 host cities (across three countries) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as accompanying costs for hotels, transport, food, and beverages.
Northern California Tops Most Expensive Cities
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium topped the list as the most expensive venue to take in the World Cup. However, the stadium’s name is deceiving: it’s actually located in Santa Clara, about 45 miles from San Francisco. San Francisco Bay Area stadium has a matchday index score of 14.66 out of 100, the lowest in the ranking. While hotel pricing in the area is relatively modest, at an average of $343 per night, it’s the stadium’s concessions which drive the costs exorbitantly high. Fans pay an average of $14.37 for a pint of beer at the stadium, and $14.00 for a meal. Local transport is also costlier than average, at $3.00 per trip.
Canadian Locations Came Close Behind
Vancouver’s BC Place came in second, with a matchday index score of 30.66. Hotel prices in the region average $404 per night, the highest of the 16 locations polled. Food and drink prices are notably lower than in Northern California: a fast-food meal will cost you around $11.06, and a pint of beer goes for around $8.73.
Hot on Vancouver’s heels is Toronto Stadium, with a matchday index score of 30.68. Hotels in the area cost only an average of $299, but the stadium boasts the highest food and drink prices of anywhere polled. Meals average $18.43, and a pint of beer will run you around $15.07.
Houston and Mexico Dominated Cheapest Cities
Houston, TX, topped the list of cheapest cities to view the World Cup, with a matchday index score of 94.66 – the highest result. On average, visitors to Houston will pay around $173 for accommodation. A stadium pint costs $2.79, and a meal costs $10.29. Local transport costs are also lower than average, at $1.25 per ride.
Mexico dominated the rest of the cheapest-city results, with all three of the country's host cities ranking consecutively below Houston. Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe scored a matchday index of 85.36. There, hotels average $207 per night, and public transport is $0.87 per ride. Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan scored 85.34, with the lowest transport costs of the ranked cities (at $0.55) and stadium meals costing an average of $8.72. Estadio Azteca rounded out the list, scoring 72.00. There, you’ll pay an average of $0.35 per ride on local transport, but hotel prices are slightly higher, at an average of $267 per night.