What Will It Cost from the UK?
Here's a realistic breakdown of what UK fans can expect to spend. We've created three budget tiers: budget traveller, mid-range, and comfort/premium.
Per-Person Cost Estimates (2 Weeks)
Budget Traveller (Hostels, Budget Flights, Street Food)
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights (London → East Coast) | £400-600 |
| Accommodation (14 nights, hostel/shared Airbnb) | £500-800 |
| Match tickets (3 group matches, cheapest category) | £150-300 |
| Food & drink (14 days) | £350-500 |
| Local transport (metro, buses, ride-share) | £150-250 |
| Travel insurance | £40-80 |
| ESTA + phone/SIM | £30-50 |
| Total per person | £1,620-2,580 |
Mid-Range (Hotels, Standard Flights, Restaurants)
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights (London → any host city, economy) | £500-900 |
| Accommodation (14 nights, 3-star hotel or good Airbnb) | £1,200-2,000 |
| Match tickets (3-5 matches, mid-category) | £400-800 |
| Food & drink (14 days) | £600-900 |
| Local transport + 1-2 internal flights | £300-500 |
| Travel insurance | £40-80 |
| ESTA + phone/SIM + misc | £50-100 |
| Total per person | £3,090-5,280 |
Comfort / Premium (Nice Hotels, Premium Economy, Hospitality)
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights (premium economy or business) | £1,500-4,000 |
| Accommodation (14 nights, 4-5 star hotel) | £2,500-5,000 |
| Match tickets (5+ matches, hospitality packages) | £2,000-5,000 |
| Food & drink (14 days, restaurants) | £1,000-1,500 |
| Local transport + internal flights (flexible) | £400-800 |
| Travel insurance (premium cover) | £80-150 |
| ESTA + phone/SIM + misc | £100-200 |
| Total per person | £7,580-16,650 |
Money-Saving Tips
- Go to Mexico — your pound buys 2-3x more in Mexico than the USA. A nice hotel in Mexico City costs £40-80/night vs £150-250 in New York
- Use credit cards — get a fee-free card (Halifax Clarity, Chase Debit) to avoid foreign exchange markups
- Avoid tourist traps — eat where locals eat, not stadium-adjacent restaurants
- Book accommodation for groups — a 4-person Airbnb is dramatically cheaper per person than 4 hotel rooms
- Internal travel — Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains between East Coast cities are much cheaper than flights
- Student/youth discounts — many US attractions and some transport options have youth pricing
- Pre-tournament shopping — buy travel gear (adapters, luggage, sun cream) in the UK where it's cheaper
- Meal prep — Airbnbs with kitchens let you cook breakfast/lunch and save restaurant money for dinner
Currency & Payment
| Country | Currency | Exchange Rate (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | USD ($) | £1 = $1.25-1.35 | Cards accepted everywhere |
| Canada | CAD ($) | £1 = C$1.70-1.80 | Cards accepted everywhere |
| Mexico | MXN ($) | £1 = MX$20-25 | Cards in cities; cash useful in smaller venues |
Tipping:
- USA: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $1-2 per bag for hotel porters
- Canada: 15-20% at restaurants
- Mexico: 10-15% at restaurants, small tips for service staff
Tipping is culturally expected in all three countries and far more significant than in the UK.
Is It Worth It?
For perspective: a 2-week football holiday in North America costs roughly the same as a week in a European resort — but you get a once-in-a-lifetime tournament experience, three countries, and memories that last forever.
The last time this tournament was in North America was 1994 (USA only). The next time will likely be decades away. If you can make it work financially, go.