Not every football enthusiast who follows their national team abroad spends their time downing pints as if the world were running out of hops, but it’s undeniable that beer and matchdays often go hand in hand for many supporters.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is no different. Fans who enjoy a drink are being warmly welcomed by the three host nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — each known for their vibrant beer culture. However, those inside the stadiums are discovering that enjoying a pint comes at a premium price.
The 16 venues hosting matches during the World Cup face no pricing restrictions from FIFA. This means each stadium can independently set its food and beverage prices for the duration of the tournament.
Although the tournament is still in its early stages, supporters from several of the 48 participating nations have already voiced frustration over high food and drink costs across venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Even under normal circumstances, buying refreshments at major sporting events can quickly drain one’s wallet. But with part of the tournament being held in the heart of global capitalism, the prices seen at this World Cup have reached new heights.
In total, 16 stadiums will host World Cup matches this summer — two in Canada, three in Mexico, and eleven across the United States. England and Scotland will play all three of their group matches on American soil.
According to a study by Players Time, published by the renowned Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, the nine most expensive World Cup venues for purchasing beer are all located in the United States.
While local tax differences can slightly affect pricing, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has emerged as the venue selling the costliest beer on average — a 16-ounce serving will set fans back $16.50 (approximately £12.30).
AT&T Stadium in Dallas follows closely behind at more than $15 per beer. Only seven stadiums are charging less than $10 on average, with Gillette Stadium in Boston being the only one among them located in the United States.
The most affordable beer prices are found at Mexico’s three hosting venues — Estadio BBVA, Estadio Azteca and Estadio Akron — where the average cost ranges from $2.75 to $5.75.
Average Beer Prices at World Cup 2026 Venues
SoFi Stadium — Los Angeles, United States — $16.50
AT&T Stadium — Dallas, United States — $16.00
MetLife Stadium — New York/New Jersey, United States — $14.50
Levi's Stadium — San Francisco, United States — $14.50
NRG Stadium — Houston, United States — $12.00
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami, United States — $12.00
Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, United States — $11.50
Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, United States — $10.15
Lumen Field — Seattle, United States — $10.00
BMO Field — Toronto, Canada — $9.50
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, United States — $8.50
BC Place — Vancouver, Canada — $8.50
Gillette Stadium — Boston, United States — $8.25
Estadio BBVA — Monterrey, Mexico — $5.75
Estadio Azteca — Mexico City, Mexico — $2.80
Estadio Akron — Guadalajara, Mexico — $2.75
Scotland began their Group C campaign with a 1-0 victory over Haiti at the newly renamed Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) and are set to return there for their second match against Morocco.
Their final group fixture against Brazil will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where Scottish fans can expect to pay around $12.00 (£8.90) for a beer.
England will start their Group L journey at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. With an average beer price of $16.00 (£11.90), drinks will be among the more expensive items for fans attending their match against Croatia.
The Three Lions will also play group matches against Ghana at Gillette Stadium and Panama at MetLife Stadium, the latter being the third costliest venue for beer at the tournament.
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