Comparing World Cup 2026 Costs to 1994: Tickets, Kits & More

Fashion Back Then and Now

32 years is a long time in any walk of life. In 1994, football kits were simply what players wore on the pitch. In 2026, a football kit is a marketable fashion item that generally costs a fortune.

The recent launch of the 2026 England kit took fans’ breath away. A personalised adult top is roughly £105.00. There are deals on where you might pick one up for £90.00, but it’s still an eye-watering amount of money. 

And what about a child’s kit? Well, this is where it really bites. We all know that children want the top, the shorts, the socks and their favourite player’s name on the back. Purchasing this will set you back roughly £120.00.

Looking back, football kits have never been cheap. The 1994 World Cup was arguably the competition when marketing began to be taken seriously. We all remember those Nike adverts with the famous Brazil team in 1998 - the seeds were sown four years prior in the USA, with the deal between the two world-famous brands signed in 1996.

In the 1994 World Cup, kits were beginning to replicate modern fashion. They were loose and baggy, covered with bizarre patterns, especially the goalkeepers’ jerseys. Numbers and names were prominent on the back to the point where even the most short-sighted fan couldn’t fail to read Roberto Baggio’s name off the back of his famous No.10 blue Italian shirt. 

That was the turning point and marked a change in kit manufacturing and marketing. Selling these kits back in the day was seen more as additional income; now it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry, with estimates valuing the global market at between 100 billion and 150 billion US dollars. 

Kits are now far sleeker, made with advanced materials that focus on player comfort and aerodynamics. They are also designed to not just be worn to the match by fans, but also as a fashion item. 

In addition, there are now more team-based clothing items that can be bought, such as casual t-shirts, hoodies and retro kits. Presumably aimed at the older generation of fans that still can’t bring themselves to wear a modern kit as a fashion item - or afford one. 

Taking inflation into consideration, a replica kit in 1994 cost roughly $80 US dollars. In 2026, the cost is around $130. 

Yes, the kits are far better designed and made from more expensive materials, etc, and the marketing teams will be queuing up to tell us this. But the bottom line is, it still feels like yet more exploitation of loyal fans.

Comparison: Additional Costs for Fans Traveling to the World Cup

Assuming ticket prices haven’t put you off travelling to North America for the 2026 World Cup, you will want to know about the additional costs.

Unfortunately, there is little good news here either. International flights into the region, the cost of hotels and internal travel is going to be expensive enough, and then you have to factor in the costs of day-to-day living expenses.

According to Holafly, there is a glimmer of good news for fans travelling from the UK and Europe. Flight prices to America haven’t increased too drastically and can be found for roughly $600 - $1000, this is broadly similar to what fans would have paid in 1994. 

Keeping the price low is down to the sheer number of carriers flying into the region, but the cost will almost certainly increase the closer we get to the opening match. 

This is where the good news ends. Hotels are not feeling as generous and prices in host cities have soared. Furthermore, with the competition spread across three different time zones, staying in the same place is going to be near impossible.

Group matches have been clustered together to try and limit travel. But even games that appear close together geographically will often require internal air travel. And a couple of internal flights or long-distance bus or train journeys could set a fan back roughly another $300 - $500.    

Depending on your level of luxury, hotels are expected to cost in the region of $1,500 - $2,500 for seven nights accommodation. This compares to $500 - $700 (including inflation) in 1994. 

Finally, food and drink, and other necessities you will need while you are on the road. Well, a day eating and drinking (assuming you are not dining in luxury restaurants) is going to be setting the average fan back around $100 a time, at the very least. 

If you break that down into a seven day trip, it is likely to set you back something in the region of $3,100 to $4,700. For those planning to stay for the duration of the tournament, the cost quickly becomes mind boggling.