England fans shocked by drink prices before the World Cup
England fans were surprised by the high drink prices ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This summer, the World Cup will be shared by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Most of the matches, including all of England’s group games, will be held in the US.
Recently, Thomas Tuchel’s team played a warm-up match against New Zealand in Tampa, Florida, winning 1-0 thanks to a first-half header from Harry Kane. About 27,000 England fans watched the game at the Raymond James Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During the match, fans got a first look at just how pricey drinks will be. Simon Peach, PA’s chief football writer, shared a photo of the drinks menu from the stadium on Twitter. An “ultra premium double cocktail” costs a shocking $26.50, while a regular cocktail is $19.50. Frozen drinks, like strawberry daiquiris or margaritas, also cost $19.50. A large pint of domestic beer is $16.75, and premium beer costs $18. One of the most surprising prices was $7.50 for a single bottle of Aquafina water!
Fans had strong reactions online. One said, “$18 for a beer, $200 for a pre-World Cup friendly. Absolutely outrageous and should be exposed.” Another wrote, “Wouldn’t go anywhere near the place.” Someone else joked, “That water better have come from Niagara Falls.”
It’s important to know that prices won’t be the same at every stadium. Some venues will have cheaper options. A Twitter user shared a World Cup menu from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, showing drinks about half the price of those in Tampa. Atlanta even promised $2 hot dogs and $5 beers for the World Cup, though other stadiums haven’t revealed their prices yet.
Last summer’s Club World Cup showed what fans might expect. One stadium in Philadelphia charged $16.50 for beer and $10 for bottled water.
England’s first group game is on June 17 against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They then play Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and finish their group stage against Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All three stadiums are home to NFL teams, so prices might reflect their usual rates.
According to Fox 5 New York, fans can buy beer for $13 at MetLife Stadium, $9.71 at AT&T Stadium, and $8.58 at Gillette Stadium.