Going to North America '26: tickets, accommodations, etc. (non-politics)

If you're in Westport, there will be plenty of restaurants and other establishments right there, and it's also an easy streetcar ride north to downtown or south to the Plaza, which is the more fancy shopping/dining area. You won't need to go to Overland Park out in the Kansas suburbs.

 

These people needed the Scots in Providence to show them the way.

 

I see you got a lot likes for this post, and that is great that you are going to have a fun trip, but a lot of people saved money for 3.5 years for this, based on a budget where ticket prices were projected to be about the same as they have been for the last few World Cups, knowing that the rest of their travel expenses were going to be higher because the USA is an expensive travel destination. But then FIFA decided to jack up ticket prices 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 10x…. That caused a lot of people to cancel their World Cup plans just because the can’t afford it. So, I am happy for you that you can afford it, but you must understand the “complaining” by those who cannot, or who have been forced to scale back their World Cup plans based on FIFA’s decision to make this World Cup cost so much more to attend.

By the way, I was also at the Brazil-Netherlands match in 1994. That was a hot July day at the Cotton Bowl!

 

Branco!!!!!

 

Ok nice. Then why are you looking at Overland Park activities.

Westport (steps from your hotel): Kelly's is the old time standard on the corner and then Harpos is great sports bar another street over. Good fun area.

Plaza: the famous shopping area of KC. Classy. Go to Jack Stacks BBQ there. So good.

Power and Light district of course and the Crossroads neighborhood has some great hidden gems.

Enjoy. (And avoid Overland Park if you are that close to the city.).. Union Station, Fifa Fan Fest, etc.

 

Not able to book the shuttle for M7. Does it mean fully booked?

 

Maybe try after 7am ET today (Wednesday 13 May)

 

I know the ticket prices are a problem. I am "lucky" with 220,- fan tickets for the Ducth games. Still a lot of money for stage matches at a WC or Euro. But at other tournaments I also paid 300,- / 500,- for tickets I had to buy from resellers. Tickets are always a big part of the expenses. So I made a few other choices to keep the costs in control and within budget. And before ticket prices were announced, I knew a big budget was necessary for the US. I also understand the compliants and don't want deny them, but it keeps going on for a half year now. It is a fact, we have to deal with. In my opinion it is time to enjoy the upcoming WC.

And yes, it was very hot at the Cotton Bowl. But also in Orlando at the other 3 matches from The Netherlands. Stadiums without roofs in such places

 

What you say makes sense. The description of the hotel says Overland Park - dont know why.
Anyway - your suggestions look good. Seems I am much better located than I thought.

 

I am going to 26, but I think Marius Tresor is correct. If you go back to the release of the RTBs (discussed on here) the assumption was that tickets prices would be similar to 2022. (I didnt think that myself but it WAS a common assumption.)
I am lucky. You are lucky. For us it is a matter of CHOICE with the pricing. There are LOADS of people who went to all the Scotland matches and ALL the England games the last few years and now cant afford it.
It is not too bad if you follow a 'dregs' team (all of my matches bar one are in that category) because those matches are not a total rinsing. If you are a fan of Scotland, France, Brazil, Argentina, England, Portugal and the hosts, the ticket prices are MULTIPLES of what has been charged in previous tournaments.
And it really matters, because this type of fan (of all 48 teams) are what make the tournament special.

 

Finn McCools is a fantastic pub especially if there are matches on

 

Yes, its working now and have bought it.

 

$20 bus ride is a good price. Do those school buses have AC? Would be surprised if they did... it'll be some hot rides lol.

 

Chickens kitchen for soul food. Finn mccools is the best soccer bar. Molly's ride and shine for breakfast.

How old is your son?

 

I was also able to book $20 shuttle ticket for the 3 matches I'm attending in NYC. For some reason there were no "New York Resident" seats available (not sure how these would be different) so I booked normal seats with departure times about 2.5 hours prior to kickoff.

Here's the link: https://fevo.com/official-nynj-stadium-shuttles

 

Actually the fans of England and Scotland who attended every game would have qualified for the $60 tickets. indeed those that missed 1 got some $60 tickets. Many more will have got the cat 3 tickets. I think the hardcore French fans are sorted as well. Not sure re Portugal. Unfortunately some of the other federations used different criteria.

Not withstanding that the prices are far too high.

I bought RTBs with the expectation the tickets would be significantly cheaper. Fooled me once, shame on you FIFA. Obviously never again.

Obviously i have made the decision to pay and attend the games. My choice but it still stinks. Like many on here i believe prices will drop considerably.

On Sunday i bought Asian Cup tickets for $8. I even splurged on cat 1 for the ripoff price of $13.

 

I booked rides 4 hours before kickoff and I'm in New Jersey lol. Don't think I can change them. I was/am worried that it might be a slight mess getting to the stadiums and through the security fence, given past experiences. I guess I can always hang out at the stadium for ~2 hours lol (maybe more)

 

Just purchased the $20 bus tickets to Metlife for m77. Leaving 2pm for 5pm k.o. Good to see sanity prevail here. I like getting to the stadium early for big games to avoid the queues and late chaos. Are there bars, beer gardens etc being set up around the stadium precinct? Would have been fun to experience an American style carpark tailgate party. Bit of a bummer.

 

I've been wildly optimistic and bought a $20 bus ticket for the final just in case.

 

I don't know whether there will be bars/beer gardens around the stadium (there was for the Club World Cup last summer but it was inside security after you showed your ticket). If you are there early enough there is the American Dream Mall which is connected to the Metlife parking lot by a bridge and there are bars in the mall.

 

Just a clarification - England have MORE top-cappers (been to EVERY match home and away) than the allocation of the $60 the FA were given. Some of them missed out in the FA ballot.
Not sure on the Scotland matter.

 

Anyone from Houston and KC can tell us the parking options? Preferably free walking distance.

 

I think you've got a travel guide book in you somewhere. The Frommers Football Fan edition!

 

Got to agree with you on that one @tedmak as I know a number of Scottish fans that aren't going down to the cost. I've got a couple of mates here in Singapore who did the Euros in Germany and were completely up for the US. Until the ticket prices came out.

The sad part is that they could get tickets now at more reasonable (relative to what they were) prices now but it's either too late to organise anything or they're just not interested. At my age I can't afford NOT to go given how long it's been since our last WC appearance.

 

Whilst it's true that there were more top cappers than $60 tickets (apart from the Panama game), every top capper who applied for a $60 ticket got one. At the time that applications closed top cappers were on 62 caps and the tightest allocations for the $60 tickets was the round of 16 and the final, where ESTC members on 61 or 62 caps were guaranteed one.

Group games, round of 32 and semi final 59+ got one and for the quarter final it was 57+. Everyone who wanted a third place play-off ticket was guaranteed a $60 one.