MetLife Stadium, scheduled to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, has been ranked as one of the worst U.S. venues for fan experience. A study conducted by ticketing experts at Seatpick analyzed 11 U.S. host stadiums across seven metrics, including beer and water prices, hotel rates, crime statistics, and mosquito risk.
The study assigned a composite "fan experience" score out of 10 to each venue. MetLife Stadium received an overall score of 6.32, placing it third from the bottom. Contributing to its low ranking were high refreshment prices, with a beer costing $13 and water $7, and the second-highest hotel rates at $593 per night. The stadium also scored a 9.6 out of 10 for mosquito risk, second only to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Players have also voiced concerns about the stadium's playing surface. Brazil's Vinicius Junior and France's Adrien Rabiot described the pitch as hard, dry, and slow, making ball movement difficult. Social media commentary from fans echoed these sentiments, with one user on X stating the pitch "looks like crap" and lamenting its selection for the final.
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, was ranked the worst overall, with a fan experience score of 5.82. It registered the highest mosquito risk score and among the highest match-day expenses, including $14 for a beer and $7 for water. The study also noted high hotel rates at $383 per night.
NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, ranked second to last with a score of 5.96. This venue recorded the highest violent crime rate among the studied stadiums, with 1,148 cases per 100,000 people, and extreme "feels-like" temperatures reaching 117°F.
In contrast, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, topped the fan experience rankings with a score of 8.08. It was commended for having some of the cheapest beers at $8.58 and low mosquito activity at 0.5. Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, followed in second place with 8.03, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, secured third with 7.87. Mercedes-Benz Stadium was noted as the safest venue, with 450 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The Seatpick study aimed to evaluate the overall enjoyability of a World Cup trip by considering factors beyond just ticket prices, encompassing all elements that contribute to a fan's experience. The data was compiled using various sources, including Orkin's mosquito hotspot lists and crime statistics.