{"id":36995,"date":"2026-06-15T20:27:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/36995\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T20:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:27:13","slug":"why-is-food-and-drink-for-world-cup-fans-so-much-cheaper-in-atlanta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/36995\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is food and drink for World Cup fans so much cheaper in Atlanta?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay<\/a> in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With record-high ticket, travel, and accommodation prices, the cost of the World Cup has burned a hole in the pockets of local and international fans planning to attend a game this summer \u2014 and that\u2019s even before they reach the stadium.<\/p>\n

Concession prices have already started to do the rounds on social media, with some international fans indignant about the cost, while many U.S.-based fans, well accustomed to inflated stadium prices, wonder what all the fuss is about.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s one man, Arthur Blank \u2014 whose holding company AMB Sports and Entertainment owns the Atlanta Stadium (typically known as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium), and who also owns its tenants the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta FC \u2014 who prides himself on doing things a bit differently. Food and beverage prices at the Atlanta Stadium will have a markedly lower impact on supporters\u2019 bank balances this summer, owing to a \u201cfan-first\u201d scheme driven by Blank.<\/p>\n

Here, The Athletic explains why and how Atlanta Stadium is unique in concession pricing.<\/p>\n

What are the typical food and drink prices at the World Cup?<\/p>\n

There is no uniform set menu at concession stands for the World Cup, and venues are free to price food and drink as they please.<\/p>\n

At the New York\/New Jersey (typically known as MetLife Stadium), which hosted last Saturday\u2019s 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco and is the venue for the World Cup final, food prices are at the top end of what you would expect to pay at a Premier League match.<\/p>\n

Prices at one concession stand at MetLife for the World Cup: pic.twitter.com\/pzO1a3wQ60<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) June 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to this image posted on X by New Jersey Advance Media journalist Brian Fonseca, a combo meal (including four chicken tenders, fries, and a Coca-Cola) costs $19 (without the six per cent New Jersey added sales tax), around \u00a314 at the time of writing. The four-piece tender meal without a drink is $15 (\u00a311), a portion of fries is $8 (\u00a36), while a hot dog is $8.50 (\u00a36.30).<\/p>\n

Prices are higher at the Los Angeles Stadium (usually SoFi Stadium), which will host a quarter-final, though the menu items differ.<\/p>\n

A look at the concession prices at SoFi Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com\/XNhlz6LXE1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to a picture posted by Los Angeles-based journalist Arash Markazi, the most expensive item at a concession stand is the beef-loaded nachos ($19.75; \u00a314.70, without Los Angeles\u2019 combined 9.75 per cent sales tax), while the cheapest \u201cmeal\u201d is a bean and cheese burrito ($16.50; \u00a312.30).<\/p>\n

According to FootyScran, a page on X which posts stadium food from around the world, a three-piece chicken tender meal at Wembley Stadium, England\u2019s home ground, is \u00a312.50 ($16.80). The same meal at Aston Villa\u2019s Villa Park costs \u00a310 ($13.50).<\/p>\n

The most visible discrepancy is in beverage prices. The concession stand at MetLife Stadium, pictured, lists four alcoholic beverages, ranging from $16 for a 16-oz (454ml) canned American beer to $19 for a hard seltzer (16oz) or a canned cocktail (12oz; 354ml). The \u201cpremium American beer\u201d at SoFi Stadium is $18.50 (\u00a313.80), before tax.<\/p>\n

Water at MetLife Stadium is $5 (\u00a33.70), at SoFi it is $5.25 (\u00a33.90), and at the Dallas Stadium (typically known as AT&T Stadium), which will host one semi-final, it\u2019s a quite ridiculous $8.25 (\u00a36.20).<\/p>\n

Depending on the event, fans visiting Wembley Stadium can expect to pay between \u00a36 ($8) and \u00a38.50 ($11.40) for a pint of beer (16oz; 568ml), with significantly lower prices available at other stadiums around the league.<\/p>\n

Emirates Stadium, the home of Premier League champions Arsenal, runs a fan-first pricing scheme on matchdays, with discounted drinks up to an hour before kick-off: pints of Asahi and Guinness drop to \u00a34.40 ($5.90), and a hot dog and a pint combo is around \u00a310.50 ($14.10), according to the club website.<\/p>\n

What about Canada and Mexico?<\/p>\n

ESPN reporter Luiz Carlos Largo posted an image of concession prices at Monterrey Stadium (usually BBVA Stadium) for the World Cup, where the cost of beer is as high as anywhere else, except Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Pre\u00e7os revelados no Est\u00e1dio BBVA no M\u00e9xico para a Copa do Mundo! \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/p>\n

Os valores de comidas e bebidas que ser\u00e3o vendidos:<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7a Michelob Ultra \u2013 310 MXN (US$ 17,75)
\ud83c\udf7a Corona \u2013 299 MXN (US$ 17,12)
\ud83c\udf7a Flying Fish \u2013 300 MXN (US$ 17,18)
\ud83c\udf7a Michelob Zero \u2013 300 MXN (US$ 17,18)
\ud83d\udca7 \u00c1gua\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/jjovqQkyCU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Luiz Carlos Largo (@LARGOESPN) June 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A can of Michelob Ultra lager costs 310 Mexican pesos (MXN), which is roughly $18 or \u00a313.50. Corona is marginally cheaper at 299 MXN ($17.50; \u00a313), though at 710ml (24 oz), fans get more bang for their buck.<\/p>\n

Water costs 80 MXN ($4.60; \u00a33.50), while a portion of fries is dearer than almost anywhere else in our sample at 200 MXN ($11.60; \u00a38.66).<\/p>\n

And fans travelling to Toronto to take in some World Cup action can expect slightly more wallet-friendly beverage prices than in most of the United States.<\/p>\n

#NEW<\/a>: Toronto\u2019s World Cup concession prices revealed at BMO field. pic.twitter.com\/1G9IRqdrHx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RTN (@RTNToronto) June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

While a bottle of water at Toronto Stadium (9 CAD; $6; \u00a34.80) is at the more expensive end of the spectrum, the cheapest beer (16oz; 473ml) costs 16.75 CAD ($12; \u00a39), a more affordable, though far from inexpensive, offering, particularly at a 13 per cent Ontario sales tax rate.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s different about the Atlanta Stadium?<\/p>\n

While Emirates Stadium offers cost-friendly concession deals up to an hour before kick-off, the Atlanta Stadium always operates \u201cfan-first\u201d pricing, regardless of which team, sport, or event is playing within its high-tech walls.<\/p>\n

First look at the menu boards for the #WorldCup<\/a> inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.#WeAreAtlanta<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1Rxai8L2tW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mercedes-Benz Stadium (@MBStadium) June 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A chicken tenders and fries combo meal costing just $6 (\u00a34.50), almost a third of the price at MetLife. Other standout bargains include a pizza slice of any listed variety for $3 (\u00a32.25), a cheeseburger for $5 (\u00a33.70), and a grilled chicken sandwich for just $6 (\u00a34.50). These prices do not include Atlanta\u2019s combined 9 per cent sales tax, so while the items will be slightly dearer than listed, they represent bargain prices by American standards.<\/p>\n

Beverage prices are not bad, either. A 20oz (591ml) bottle of water is a far more sensibly priced $3, while the cheapest 20oz draft beer comes in at a respectable $9 (\u00a36.70).<\/p>\n

Why does Blank like to keep concession costs low for fans?<\/p>\n

In an interview with The Athletic<\/a>, Blank explained the vision behind his \u201cfan-first\u201d pricing scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople feel welcome here,\u201d Blank told\u00a0The Athletic, reflecting on a concession pricing conversation he had with FIFA. \u201cThere\u2019s never been price gouging here. We want people to feel like this is their home, safe and secure, embraced, loved and respected. Those things are not negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blank took the same approach when Atlanta hosted the 2019 Super Bowl. Then, beers were priced at $9, cheeseburgers at $5 and hot dogs at $2.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the same for the World Cup as it is for the Super Bowl,\u201d Blank said. \u201cIt never got past the first discussion with FIFA because we said it is a given, this is who we are. We have to make fans feel treasured and appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n