San Francisco considering scaling back the 2026 World Cup Fan Festival

Ticketing plans for the 2026 World Cup are already stirring debate among fans. Organizers revealed that in New York/New Jersey, entry to the official FIFA Fan Festival (previously known as the Fan Fest) will no longer be free—a sharp departure from past tournaments where access was complimentary.

San Francisco looking to trim back plans

Adding to the controversy, San Francisco’s organizing committee is reportedly weighing major cutbacks to its original fan festival plans. According to The Athletic, sources revealed that after the World Cup draw, the Bay Area site did not receive any top-seeded teams or marquee stars for its group-stage matches at Levi’s Stadium.

As a result, officials are questioning whether it makes financial sense to host large-scale fan events. Running the festivals could cost more than $1 million per day, and organizers argue they must evaluate whether public funds and donations are being used responsibly.

FIFA voices concern

Journalist Adam Crafton of The Athletic reported that sources close to FIFA have expressed concern over San Francisco’s potential decision. The governing body fears that reduced programming—or canceling the Fan Festival altogether—could lead to low attendance and diminished fan engagement, translating into financial losses for both local organizers and FIFA itself.

With New York charging admission and San Francisco possibly scaling back or scrapping its Fan Festival, the 2026 World Cup could mark a turning point in how host cities approach fan experiences. For many supporters, the festivals have been a hallmark of past tournaments—free, vibrant spaces to celebrate the game.

Now, the debate centers on whether the US edition will prioritize revenue over tradition, leaving fans to wonder how accessible the World Cup party will really be.

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