2026 World Cup: England and Scotland supporters face steep financial barrier for US tour
A detailed breakdown of travel, accommodation, and match entry fees reveals that a trip for two Scotland fans could exceed £15,000, while England supporters face costs rising to over £22,000 for a family of four.
BBC Sport has released a comprehensive cost analysis estimating the financial burden for supporters attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The report highlights that total trip costs are driven by inflated resale ticket prices, scarce accommodation in host cities, and elevated transit fares. For two England fans, the estimated cost is approximately £6,500, rising to over £22,000 for a family of four. Scotland fans face significantly higher expenses, with a couple estimated to spend around £15,068.
The analysis identifies specific drivers for these high costs, including resale ticket fees which incorporate a 15% FIFA transaction fee, high accommodation rates in Boston and New York, and specific train fares. For instance, return train tickets to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey from Manhattan are priced at $150, or £114, each. Additionally, the daily living cost estimates for two people working to a low-to-mid-range budget in the US are set at £3,000, equating to roughly £107 per person per day for England fans.
England supporters are projected to fly via New York to Dallas, with return flights to JFK costing just over £500 each. The itinerary includes a layover in Dallas before travelling to Boston, where accommodation costs are notably higher. A couple staying five nights at a Hampton Inn in Boston is estimated to spend £1,650. Conversely, Scotland fans face higher direct flight costs from Glasgow, with two tickets costing £1,887 compared to the English route via Amsterdam.
The logistical challenges extend to the final leg of the journey for Scotland supporters, who require an extended stay in Boston and travel to Miami. A couple's trip involving eight nights in Boston and six in Miami, including flights and accommodation, totals £6,924. The final match against Brazil further increases the price, with resale tickets for the game costing significantly more than face value, contributing to the overall higher expense for the Scottish contingent.
Ticket availability for England and Scotland is limited on official channels, forcing fans to rely on FIFA's official resale site where prices are significantly above face value. For England, the total cost for two people to attend the games including fees is £4,370, which is two and a half times the face value. For Scotland, the cost for two people to attend their matches is £4,930, almost three times the face-value price.
The BBC Sport analysis indicates that attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States will be the most expensive in history for supporters. Costs for England and Scotland fans are driven by inflated resale ticket prices, scarce accommodation in host cities, and elevated transit fares. While a trip for two England fans is estimated at £6,500, Scotland fans face significantly higher expenses due to direct flight costs from Glasgow and extended stays in Boston, with a couple estimated to spend around £15,068.
