Fans watching the World Cup opening game at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico have slammed stadium prices, with locals having to fork out the equivalent of a week’s wages on a round of drinks and snacks
Fans at the World Cup opening match in Mexico City have spoken to the Daily Star about the eye-watering prices of booze and snacks, with some being charged more than £13 for a can of lager, with others handing over nearly £9 for a tub of nuts.
A 710ml can of US lager Michelob at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was on sale for 310 pesos – the equivalent of a whopping £13.40. A simple bottle of Corona was around £12.50 – as was a humble 355ml Flying Fish beer.
Even the non-alcoholic prices are seemingly through the roof at the iconic Mexican ground, with the no-booze Michelob Zero cost £12.08, while a 600ml bottle of water was on sale for £3.45. Fans looking for a snack were also left stunned, with a tub of nuts costing £8.63.
The average wage in Mexico is around £216 a week, meaning some supporters pointed out that simply splashing out on couple of drinks and a snack could swallow a sizeable chunk of a worker’s entire weekly income.
It is the first time tournament stadium prices have been revealed and is sure to add to fans’ fury about the soaring cost of attending the biggest-ever World Cup.
Drink prices are expected to be even higher at matches in the US, where many supporters fear they could end up paying significantly more for food and refreshments.
The tournament, being staged across Mexico, the United States and Canada, has already faced criticism over ticket prices, accommodation costs and expensive travel between venues.
In his opening remarks on the eve of the tournament, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged folk to “chill and relax” over explosive ticket costs, stressing every penny of profit will be pumped back into football.
Now supporters are lashing out at stadium grub prices too.
Market trader Raimondo Cortez, 41, who saved up for three months for a ticket to Mexico’s opening match against South Africa, told the Daily Star he thought prices inside the stadium were “un escándalo” – “a scandal”.
“It is take, take, take, always take everywhere,” he said, shaking his head.
“FIFA can relax. They don’t have to pay.”
Cafe worker Fernando Vietz, 33, said: “I knew what would happen. I have brought my own water. I will not be buying anything.”
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