The ban on bringing food and drinks into stadiums is standard practice at major tournaments. According to Forbes, organizers cite not only safety and sanitation concerns but also economic factors as reasons for this policy. The fact is that food and beverages account for about 5% of stadium revenue, but on the scale of the World Cup, this becomes a significant source of income.
FIFA traditionally imposes restrictions on fans: only a small bottle of water (0.5 liters) is allowed, and food is permitted only in exceptional cases (for example, for children or for medical reasons with a doctor’s note).
United States: The High Cost ofMatch Day
Large stadiums in the U.S. remain among the most expensive venues.
For example, in the New York/New Jersey area (MetLife Stadium), the average cost of a meal and drinks during a game is estimated at approximately $33–34.
Beer here costs about $14–16, depending on the serving size.
In Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), a similar bill comes to about $32–33, making the stadium one of the most expensive in the tournament.
Individual items, including beer, cost around $16.50–18.50.
In Dallas (AT&T Stadium), the cost of a standard meal and beer combo hovers around $32–33, while individual beverage items can reach $16.
Against this backdrop, the Santa Clara area (Levi’s Stadium) has one of the highest average checks in the tournament—about $34.24 for a meal and beer combo.
Prices are more modestin Canada andMexico
According to Forbes, prices are lower in Mexico and Canada, though the gap between venues remains.
For example, in Monterrey (Estadio BBVA), beer costs about $17.75, and water is roughly $4.60. In Vancouver (BC Place), drinks range from $6 for water to about $12 for beer. In Zapopan (Estadio Akron), prices are among the most affordable of the tournament—about $9.77 for a basic meal and drink package.
Why There Are No Uniform Prices for the 2026 World Cup
The key difference between the 2026 tournament and previous World Cups is the absence of a centralized food and beverage operator.
Instead of a unified system, stadiums are using local operators overseen by FIFA through On Location. As a result, food prices depend not on the tournament itself, but on the specific city and its economy.
