August M
Gathering with thousands of fellow sports fans to cheer on a favorite team creates an unmatched sense of excitement.
When massive international tournaments arrive, the festive energy quickly spreads far beyond the official structures. Yet, staying outside the stadium gates might carry some very unexpected hazards, reports UNILAD.
Fan zone fears
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is under way across North America. Massive crowds are currently flooding into host cities, but safety concerns are rising outside the gates as the United States prepares to face Australia in Seattle. Because of these risks, a security expert has issued a stark warning about the free viewing areas ticketless fans are using.
The federal government spent a whopping $625 million on tournament security, according to a report by UNILAD. Officials are on high alert. Still, a major vulnerability might lie in public fan zones rather than heavily guarded arenas, despite President Donald Trump demanding the matches be “safe, welcoming and memorable” for everyone.
Many people choose these free zones because skyrocketing prices have locked them out of live matches. Lawyer Corey Pollard spoke to UNILAD about the hidden dangers lurking in these packed public spaces.
“Sometimes, fan zones are more dangerous than stadiums,” Pollard stated. He explained that stadiums use strict capacity limits, cameras, and guards to keep order.
Crowds out of control
Public viewing areas do not have those same tight restrictions. With thousands of people drinking and arriving at random times, the environment quickly becomes unpredictable as crowds spill into nearby streets and transit hubs.
Pollard noted that crowd movement puts fans at the greatest risk. Danger strikes quickly when thousands of excited people pack into a single space.
“Security staff need to be taught about the plan, how to implement it, and what to do in case of any issues occurring,” Pollard warned.
Sky-high costs
The warning comes as regular sports fans complain about being priced out of the tournament completely. Catching a game in person requires an incredibly large bank account.
An analysis by NBC revealed that a simple two-night hotel stay in Los Angeles or Seattle costs between $660 and $710. Resale tickets are just as bad. Tickets on secondary sites start at around $640 just to get through the gate.
Even basic stadium food and drinks are draining wallets. According to the Football Ground Guide, buying a basic meal and a beer costs $32.24 in Los Angeles and $26.88 in Seattle, making it a very costly experience.
Sources: UNILAD, NBC, Football Ground Guide
