A British fan following the 2026 World Cup across the US has shared the eye-watering cost of one matchday in Los Angeles after spending hundreds of dollars on the experience.
The tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has turned SoFi Stadium in Inglewood into one of the showpiece venues. FIFA is using the name Los Angeles Stadium for World Cup matches there, and the venue is scheduled to host eight games in total, including a U.S. group-stage match and a quarter-final.
Rob Adcock arrived in the States for the tournament last week after years of putting money aside with friends.
“We’ve been saving $25 a month since June 2018. So at this point it feels like free money,” the content creator explained.
Like many supporters at this World Cup, Rob has had to deal with steep prices, especially when it comes to tickets, with some seats selling for huge sums.
For Iran vs New Zealand in Los Angeles earlier this week, he paid $500 just to get through the turnstiles.
Even though the price made him wince, Rob said the venue itself was worth seeing, describing SoFi Stadium, currently called Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup, as something from a “different planet”.
Rob said: “If you ever get the opportunity to see any event at the SoFi, do it. Best stadium I’ve ever been to. It’s like something from the future. As soon as you get through the gates, it’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever seen. The concourse and the areas around the seating are just huge.”
While the stadium left a big impression, the rest of the day also came with a hefty bill.
He kicked things off with a pint before heading in, paying $14 for the drink.
One bright spot was transport. Unlike some other World Cup venues where fans have been hit with high travel costs, Rob was able to get from his hotel to the stadium on a classic American school shuttle bus for free.
Before the match started, he also made a stop at 7/11 for drinks and snacks, which cost another $12.
“In the ground, we had two rounds of beers at $45 a time. And a hot dog at $10. So, yeah, it’s a dear do,” Rob, who works closely with Skyscanner, added.
Once the ticket, food and drinks were all counted up, Rob’s total spend for the day reached $581.
That figure does not include the $130 he paid for a night at Hilton LAX, although he said the hotel was “one of the only bargains of the entire trip”.
Reflecting on the expense, Rob said: “Ultimately, it’s expensive. And I could have done loads of other things with that cash instead.”
“But I’ve been saving to do this with my friends for years and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d do it all over again tomorrow. It was a funny night with a good mate. What more can you want?”
The spending is unlikely to stop there, as the Brit is set for several more weeks on the road while trying to catch more matches around the country.
He was at England’s opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17, and is also planning trips to New York and Houston to take in more of the tournament atmosphere.
“The flights around the US were $1300,” Rob revealed. “Which when I’m flying from England to LA, LA to Dallas, Houston to New York and home again, I didn’t think was too bad. I know it’s not going to be a cheap trip, so I’ve tried to save money where I can.”