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Los Angeles tops World Cup 2026 power bill rankings at $19,000 per match day

A new study projects the seven US host cities will collectively spend over $860,000 on electricity to power World Cup matches, with Los Angeles leading at $19,108 per game — driven largely by enclosed stadiums and heavy air-conditioning demands.

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Los Angeles tops World Cup 2026 power bill rankings at $19,000 per match day
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Los Angeles will face the steepest electricity costs of any US host city at the 2026 World Cup, with a projected bill of $19,108 per match day, according to research by Texas-based energy company Payless Power. Across all seven American host cities, total power spending is forecast to exceed $860,000 for the tournament.

The study identifies stadium roof design as the primary driver of energy consumption. Fully or partially enclosed venues require significantly more power to run air-conditioning systems, pushing their per-match bills well above open-air counterparts. “The type of roof over a stadium has a major influence on the energy required for each game,” the report states.

Behind Los Angeles, San Francisco is projected to spend $16,432 per match, followed by New York/New Jersey at $13,179, Boston at $12,367, and Atlanta at $11,839. On a total-cost basis, Los Angeles again leads the field at $152,864 across eight matches, while Seattle records the lowest aggregate bill — $38,106 for six games.

In terms of raw energy consumption, Dallas tops the rankings with a projected 99,925 kWh across its fixtures — enough to power 1,035 local homes for a month. Houston follows at 97,344 kWh, which could sustain 785 homes, and Atlanta rounds out the top three at 96,020 kWh. All three cities host matches in indoor stadiums.

The electricity figures sit within a broader picture of sharply rising costs for fans attending the tournament. Ticket prices have surged dramatically compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar, with the cheapest seats to a US knockout-stage match now exceeding $2,800 — more than five times the price of equivalent tickets in mid-May, according to tracking site Ticket Data.

Food and drink costs are adding further pressure on attendees. Venues are charging $75 for caviar-topped hash browns and $34 for lobster rolls, while beer — in high demand as temperatures climb into the 90s Fahrenheit — is selling for as much as $17 per cup at some stadiums.

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