World Cup Fans Spent Up to $150,000 to Attend Matches in 2025
Soccer fans heading to MetLife Stadium shared wildly varying budgets with CNBC, ranging from $2,500 to $150,000 per trip.
Soccer fans converging on MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches told CNBC Make It outside New York's Penn Station just how much they were willing to shell out for the experience — and the numbers ranged from eye-popping to jaw-dropping. Attendees reported personal budgets spanning from roughly $2,500 on the lower end all the way up to $150,000 for the most lavish supporters.
The wide spending gap reflects the deeply personal nature of World Cup attendance, where die-hard fans from around the globe treat the tournament as a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. For some, the cost covers basic travel and tickets; for others, it encompasses luxury accommodations, hospitality packages, and extended stays in the New York metro area.
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Despite the steep financial commitment, the fans interviewed uniformly said the expense was justified. The emotional payoff of watching their national teams compete on one of sport's biggest stages outweighed any sticker shock they encountered along the way.
The spending disparity also underscores how the World Cup functions as an economic engine for host cities and regions. Fans traveling internationally factor in flights, hotels, dining, and merchandise — costs that multiply quickly across a multi-week tournament with multiple match days.
The accounts gathered outside Penn Station offer a ground-level snapshot of consumer willingness to prioritize major live sporting events even amid broader economic pressures. Continue reading at US Top News and Analysis.
