World Cup Host Cities Face High Electricity Bills

As excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the operational costs associated with hosting such a major event have come into focus. According to a study by Texas-based electric company Payless Power, the seven American cities hosting matches will collectively spend over $860,000 on electricity bills. The costs are primarily driven by the need to power stadiums, which are often partially or fully enclosed, requiring substantial energy for lighting and air conditioning.

Los Angeles is expected to incur the highest match-day electricity bill, reaching $19,108. Following Los Angeles are San Francisco with $16,432, New York/New Jersey with $13,179, Boston at $12,367, and Atlanta at $11,839. The total projected costs for Los Angeles, which will host eight matches, are the highest at $152,864, while Seattle, hosting six matches, is expected to spend $38,106.

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In terms of energy consumption, Dallas is predicted to use the most electricity, with an estimated 99,925 kWh, sufficient to power 1,035 homes for a month. Houston and Atlanta follow with projections of 97,344 kWh and 96,020 kWh, respectively. Indoor stadiums in these cities contribute to the higher energy usage, primarily due to the air conditioning requirements.

Beyond electricity, the overall cost of attending World Cup matches is steep. Ticket prices have seen a significant increase compared to the 2022 World Cup, with the cheapest tickets for the USA's knockout-stage match priced at over $2,800. Food and beverage costs also add to the expenses, with items like caviar-topped hash browns and specialty drinks offered at premium prices in stadiums.

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