Los Angeles is making soccer even less accessible with inexcusable World Cup decision

The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, bar none. Nothing comes close to the World Cup with its sheer size, celebration of culture, and entertainment. For the first time since the 90s, the USA has the privilege of hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. One of the hosts, Los Angeles, has further disenfranchised fans by charging for Fan Fests. 

Fan Fests are routinely free to attend. In many ways, it is the best possible alternative opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of any sport when you cannot attend the stadium due to financial constraints or sell-outs.

According to Front Office Sports, Los Angeles has gone against that norm, and they will charge anybody over the age of 12 attending Fan Fests. It is yet to be seen how much Fan Fests will cost in Los Angeles.

Organizers say “If they don’t buy tickets, you have no idea who’s going to show up."

Charging for Fan Fests feels more sinister than security concerns

Of course, there are security concerns. This is the case for any event, let alone one as big as the World Cup. However, let’s call it what it is: This isn’t a security concern, it’s a cash-grab. 

There are plenty of ways you could verify who you are letting attend Fan Fests. When I went to a Fan Fest for the EURO final in Germany in 2024, for example, I was understandably checked on arrival as a tourist. This made me feel safe in the knowledge that security protocols were being followed.

Never once was I asked for money before attending, though. If I were, it would've felt like a gut punch for simply being a fan of the sport I've followed for as long as I can remember.

Soccer fans, not just those residing in the USA, feel disenfranchised enough by this World Cup. It’s supposed to be an exciting time for the USA as a host nation, but the talk of the town has been how poorly executed the rollout is. 

There is never an excuse to charge $500+ to attend a game, but this is the sad reality of this year’s World Cup. Yes, people will pay it, but the majority of people who cannot afford to pay a month’s rent to watch 90 minutes of sport will feel disenfranchised. 

Fan Fests, then, were the next resort to encourage the growth of the sport during this pivotal growth opportunity. To charge for attendance, then, seems like two steps backwards, rather than one step forward. 

Soccer continues to be an emerging sport in the USA. It is, without a doubt, the biggest sport worldwide, but it is yet to hit its peak viewership in the United States. With one of the best women’s leagues in the world (NWSL) and the best women’s team in the world (USWNT), this is the best possible opportunity to grow the men’s game stateside.

However, demanding money from fans convinces nobody, and serves as a push factor rather than a pull factor.