Having attended many EURO and World Cup tournaments, I understand that everything naturally increases in price during the event, sometimes doubling or tripling. But there are things I need to mention to show that for journalists in developing countries, attending a World Cup or EURO is nothing short of a survival challenge. In the US, things are even more stressful.
I bought a football fan shirt, more for sentimental value than for wearing. The shirt wasn't anything special, but I paid $25 for it because it had the 2026 World Cup logo. Compared to the cost of living in the US, that's a small amount. A Spain or Germany jersey costs $128, 30% more expensive than two years ago in Germany (when EURO 2024 was held). Even food prices aren't exactly reasonable. And a problem is emerging: restaurants and services in the US might raise prices because staff are complaining they don't receive tips, which are considered mandatory in the US.
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| The T-shirt is very ordinary, with the 2026 World Cup logo, and costs $25. |
Tipping staff is considered a cultural norm in America, but foreign fans are unfamiliar with it. They often wonder: Why do I have to pay an extra 10%, 15%, or 20% on the bill? They don't realize that service staff in America receive low wages, and their main income comes from tips. While tipping is also common in many European countries, most people who came to America for this World Cup have already spent a lot on food, accommodation, and tickets. Adding another significant amount is therefore unacceptable.
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| Fans gathered in large numbers, shops stayed open later, but the tips weren't commensurate. |
In New York and the host cities, the number of visitors surged dramatically, with 1.2 million in New York alone. This led to staff working overtime, opening earlier and closing later, and becoming more exhausted. Paradoxically, while revenue increased, tips decreased significantly (compared to US standards). In response, numerous establishments in Kansas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and other cities automatically implemented surcharges, adding another 20% to staff income, further driving up prices.
However, in restaurants and bars, the service staff are still very cheerful and enthusiastic. In fact, they seem to accept tips that don't reflect the number of customers and the bill. Given the fervent football cheering, tables are often crowded, with tips potentially reaching thousands of USD. But leaving a few hundred USD as a tip is quite unacceptable for most Europeans, Asians, and others who are used to everything being included in the total bill, including service charges.
Therefore, for reporters or freelancers who don't have the means, they often buy food and drinks at supermarkets, cook their own meals, and completely avoid bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Fortunately, although everyday household items in supermarkets are more expensive than usual, the difference is negligible, and the survival of the local poor, as well as tourists, fans, and ordinary reporters, is still ensured.
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Supermarkets remain a reliable source of budget-friendly living for tourists and budget-conscious journalists attending the 2026 World Cup. |
Up until now, there haven't been many unfortunate incidents related to restaurants and bars; in fact, American service has been quite highly rated by fans. Americans are leaving a very good impression on foreign tourists... partly because fans who come to America spend so much money. There's a story about a family who sold their house for 400,000 euros to go to America to support the English team. Or a German fan who presented a total bill of 11,500 euros for a few days in America following their team. Perhaps, if the tips were a little lower, the local staff would be happy, because they understand it's a cultural exchange, an economic reality, and more importantly, the significance and scale of a tournament like the World Cup.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/cuoc-chien-sinh-ton-mua-world-cup-tren-dat-my-1045903
