'Scandalous' World Cup drinks prices surface as warm-ups start
Travelling football fans heading to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 may be in for a shock when it comes to purchasing alcoholic beverages, as tournament venues gear up for the competition to commence.
This week, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Germany, and 16 other nations, including co-hosts Mexico, the United States and Canada, will kickstart their World Cup campaigns with a series of Group Stage matches.
Whilst Christian Pulisic and the USMNT will open the proceedings against Group D rivals Paraguay on Saturday (13 June), Thomas Tuchel’s England will subsequently start its campaign on Wednesday 17 June against Croatia.
Flying Three Lions fans have already had a taste of the tournament following England’s narrow 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
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The stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was serving cans of large domestic beer during the match for $16.75 (£12.54) a pop, according to reports.
For a premium pint, fans were forced to shell out $18, which is roughly £13.48 according to Wise’s conversion calculator.
Those seeking alternative alcoholic refreshments at the Florida venue could have purchased a ‘hard tea’ for $18 (£13.48) or an ‘ultra premium double cocktail’, with either Codigo Tequila, Elyx Vodka, Jefferson’s Bourbon or Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, for $26.50 (£19.85), according to Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan.
Meanwhile, a single ‘ultra premium’ cocktail, a frozen strawberry daiquiri and a frozen margarita were all priced at $19.50 (£14.61), PA’s Simon Peach shared.
Those at the Raymond James Stadium who wanted something soft could pick up a non-alcoholic beer for a straight $10 (£7.49), a Gatorade for $8.75 (£6.55) or an Aquafina water for $7.50 (£5.62).
Naturally, it didn't take long for people to pick up on the hefty price tags.
"£13.50 for a pint?" one responded. "Yeah it might be a sober world cup for most after those flights, hotels, tickets and other expenses."
Another wrote: "That's scandalous it's dearer than Disney."
If you don’t fancy paying the hefty price tag then good news — spectators can carry disposable bottles into the World Cup venues with them.
“Each spectator can bring with them one 20-ounce (560ml) soft, plastic disposable factory-sealed water bottle into the stadium,” World Cup 2026 chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi confirmed.
“What is not allowed are hard-sided resealable water containers, which could pose a safety and security risk.”
FIFA World Cup stadiums with the cheapest pints
The Sun, in collaboration with SeatPick, has listed the seven FIFA World Cup stadiums refusing to sell pints at a top price.
Football fans who want to be a little bit savvy should head to Estadio Akron in Guadalajara or Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where one beer will cost just £2.04.
Estadio BBVA in Monterrey comes in as the venue selling the third-cheapest pint at £4.35, with BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, making up fourth place with a £6.37 glass of good stuff.
Squeezing its way into the top five is the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Antlanta United FC.
The venue, which hosts four group matches and one of the semi-final games, among others, has beer on sale for £6.37.
Stadiums England are playing World Cup games in
Harry Kane and co. will officially start their World Cup Group L campaign at the AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) in Arlington, where an alcoholic drink will set you back by £7.28, according to data from Football Ground Guide.
The team’s knockout game against Ghana is at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, on 23 June, where pints cost £6.43.
Finally, Tuchel’s team will hit the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 27 June, where a beer will cost £9.74 for a pint, the publication wrote.
England's 2026 World Cup squad
Forwards
9 - Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
7 - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
18 - Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)
20 - Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
11 - Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United)
22 - Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)
19 - Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Midfielders
4 - Declan Rice (Arsenal)
8 - Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
10 - Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
21 - Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
14 - Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
16 - Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
17 - Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Defenders
3 - Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)
5 - John Stones (Manchester City)
2 - Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
6 - Marc Guéhi (Manchester City)
15 - Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
24 - Reece James (Chelsea)
12 - Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
26 - Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
25 - Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)
Ella Scott