Attending the World Cup 2026 does not have to cost a fortune. A four-day trip can cost anywhere from $900 to $3,500 per person, depending on which city you pick, and the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive host city is enormous. Pick the right city, and you can see the World Cup for half the price.

The cheapest host cities are Kansas City, Monterrey and Dallas. The most expensive are New York, Vancouver and San Francisco. A day in Guadalajara costs less than a rideshare from JFK Airport to MetLife Stadium. Here is the full budget guide.

The cheapest and priciest host cities

Kansas City is the cheapest US host city, with a daily budget of $80 to $120 per person. Hotels are affordable, food is cheap, and the city is compact and easy to get around. Monterrey, in Mexico, is the best value overall, at $60 to $100 a day, with excellent food, cheap transport and a passionate football culture.

Mexico City is also great value, at $70 to $120 a day, with a world-class metro system and meals for $8 to $20. Guadalajara, the third Mexican host city, is the cheapest of all, with daily costs as low as $40 for a budget traveller. Dallas is the cheapest of the big Texas cities, with good value hotels and food.

At the other end, New York is the most expensive host city, at $220 to $300 or more per day. A match-night hotel in Manhattan can cost more than $400 a night, and food and transport add up fast. Vancouver, at $200 to $280 a day, is the most expensive city in Canada, and San Francisco is not far behind.

Where the money goes

Accommodation is the biggest cost, and the one that varies most. Match-night hotel rates surge 80 to 200 percent above normal summer rates in all 16 cities. A hotel that normally costs $100 a night can cost $250 or more on a match night. The best way to save is to stay 30 to 45 minutes outside the city centre, where rates drop sharply.

Flights are the second-biggest cost. International flights from Europe to the host cities cost $400 to $1,400 return, depending on the city and the timing. Flying into Mexico first can save $200 to $500, because flights to Mexico City and Monterrey are consistently cheaper than flights to US cities during the tournament.

Food and transport are the smallest costs, but they still matter. A full meal in Mexico City costs $8 to $20, while a meal in New York costs $16 to $24. Cities with direct rail to the stadium, like Atlanta, Seattle and Vancouver, cost $2.50 to $5 for a round trip on match day. Cities without rail, like Dallas and Los Angeles, mean rideshares at $25 to $60 round trip.

Five ways to cut costs

First, skip the ticket. Every host city runs a free FIFA Fan Festival for the whole tournament, with giant screens, live music and food. For the cost of a single resale knockout ticket, you could attend a fan festival every day of a two-week trip. Buy one cheap group-stage ticket and treat the rest of the trip as a free football holiday.

Second, fly into Mexico first. International flights to Mexico City or Monterrey are cheaper than flights to US cities, and you can then fly or bus to your match city. Third, stay outside the centre. A hotel 30 minutes from the stadium can cost half as much as one in the city centre.

Fourth, travel during the group stage, from June 11 to 27. Demand and fares are lowest before the field narrows, and knockout-week flights into big cities are the most expensive of the summer. Fifth, use a prepaid eSIM for data across the USA, Canada and Mexico, which saves $40 to $80 on roaming charges.

Sample four-day budget

For a budget trip to Kansas City or Monterrey, expect to spend $900 to $1,300 for four days, including flights, hotel, one match ticket, food and local transport. For a mid-range trip to New York or Vancouver, the same four days will cost $1,800 to $3,500.

The cheapest World Cup of all is a single-city trip: one set of flights, one hotel booking, and a free fan festival on your doorstep for five weeks of football. Pick a cheap city, book early, and you can experience the biggest World Cup in history without breaking the bank.