Football fans looking to enjoy a few pints at the World Cup will have to dig deep, with some shocking prices emerging ahead of the action. England get their campaign underway against Croatia in Dallas next week, having come through final warm-up games against New Zealand and Costa Rica unscathed.
Those in attendance for the first of those games in Tampa on Saturday were met with 'scandalous' prices for what was a friendly, with one bar at the ground selling a premium beer for $18 (£13.45) and a domestic beer for $16.75 (£12.50). Those measures are US pints – 473ml compared to the standard 568ml served in UK pubs.
Fan festival prices
More staggering prices have emerged as Thursday's curtain raiser between Mexico and South Africa draws closer. Pictures shared on social media showed the price list at a FIFA-sponsored fan festival in Kansas City, where the England team is based. A pint of Stella or Budweiser set punters back $19 (£14.20), with a non-alcoholic version going for $12. Soft drinks were priced at $7 (£5.20), and a bottle of water cost $4 (£2.99). Anyone fancying a snack had to stump up $5 for a bag of Doritos.
Stadium prices
England's match against Croatia next Wednesday takes place at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Import options on tap include Stella at $16.95 (£12.62), with domestic options offering a slightly cheaper drop at $15.95 (£11.88). Prices will vary across the three host nations and their 16 venues, with Seattle's Lumen Field also looking like one of the pricier destinations.
Posters at the 72,000-seat venue, which will host games including Belgium vs Egypt and USA vs Australia, showed prices of 'American Beer' at $17.99 (£13.50) or $18.99 (£14.20) for a craft or import option.
Water bottle policy
Fans looking to keep hydrated in soaring temperatures will at least be able to bring in their own bottle of water, following a brutal backlash last week. Match ticket holders were informed that reusable bottles would not be permitted in stadia, despite having been previously assured transparent empty bottles up to one litre would be allowed. In a change of policy, FIFA backtracked and announced that fans would now be allowed to bring 'one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle' to all matches in the US and Canada.
