A new tool enables fans to calculate how much they could save by swapping expensive pub visits and fan zones for nights on the sofa.
To help Brits navigate the tournament without breaking the bank, UK Debt Expert has launched the World Cup Savings Calculator. The interactive tool analyses the hidden costs of the football festivities, breaking down expenses across travel, takeaways, drinks, and replica kits.
Taking place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, the tournament is set to draw a massive global audience. For the dedicated England and Scotland fans making the journey across the Atlantic, the financial toll is steep, with fans estimated to spend an average of £6,500 on travel and accommodation alone.
With an opening game ticket costing £1,725, London households watching England's first group stage game at home next Wednesday will save just over £1,400 - spending an average of £313 on drinks, food, and tournament merchandise.
According to an analysis by UK Debt Expert, fans following England through the entire group stage at pubs and fan zones could end up making a big dent in their wallets.
Top tips to manage your finances during the World Cup:
- Set a World Cup budget: With matches spread across several weeks, smaller purchases can quietly spiral into a sizeable spend. Breaking spending down into a “cost per match” allowance makes it easier to stay in control while still enjoying key fixtures.
- Ditch the delivery apps: Ordering takeaways for every England game can quickly become one of the biggest expenses of the tournament. Plan ahead by creating a supermarket “matchday basket” with snacks, pizzas and dips that can cover multiple games and save money in the long run.
- Go vintage: Official match jerseys are retailing at record highs. Instead of buying the latest release, consider wearing retro shirts, club colours, or reusing existing football gear. Supporting your team doesn’t need to mean spending £90 on England’s official World Cup football shirt.
- Create your own match room: Hosting matches at home with friends can recreate the atmosphere at a fraction of the cost. Ask guests to bring their own drinks or snacks, split food costs, and make an occasion of big fixtures without the high price tag of city-centre venues.
- Watch out for the mindless spending: An extra round at the pub, late-night taxis and impulse food orders can easily happen during major sporting events. Whilst you may not notice at the moment, keeping track of spending after each match can help households avoid a post-tournament financial hangover.
Maxine McCreadie from UK Debt Expert commented:
“The World Cup can be an exciting time and is usually a time for socialising and (hopefully) celebrating. While many fans will understandably want to make the most of the occasion, it’s important to be mindful of spending and plan where possible.
“The World Cup Savings Calculator is designed to help households better understand how much they could realistically spend over the course of the tournament, while highlighting small changes that could make a difference to overall costs.
Methodology
UK Debt Expert analysed four different factors to create the ‘World Cup’ Calculator:
- Average cost of alcoholic and soft drinks
- Average cost of pack of four beers across Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons
- Average cost of takeaways including KFC, McDonalds, Fish and Chips
- Average cost of bus and taxi
Data correct as of June 2026
“Whether it’s watching more matches from home, swapping expensive takeaways for cheaper alternatives, or avoiding impulse spending, there are simple ways fans can still enjoy the World Cup without overstretching their budgets.”
