The Price of Fandom: Which Sports Cost Fans the Most

Ticket prices are being tested at record levels as sports fandom becomes increasingly expensive, according to a study and reported event costs. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final—played at New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford—podcast host Scott Ferrall said the average ticket price was expected to reach $11,327, which he noted would top the average Super Bowl ticket. During the tournament, prices also climbed: the cheapest reported ticket for the Mexico vs. England match was $4,585 despite the stadium capacity exceeding 87,000. The numbers extend beyond soccer, with the Knicks vs. 76ers season opener priced at a reported get-in of $1,999. A Casino Streamers study published in August 2026 ranked NFL fandom as the costliest at about $982 per year, driven primarily by streaming costs of roughly $696 and multiple subscriptions. Attendance and merchandise add further expenses, with a family of four at a Buffalo Bills game projected to spend nearly $2,200 on a single game day.