World Cup fans cut costs costs amid high prices

England fans in the United States to watch the World Cup are taking steps to cut costs amid high prices for tickets and travel.

Kevin Green, 48, from Inkberrow in Worcestershire, shortened the trip to make it more affordable for himself and his sons Jacob, 16, and Josh, 14.

Others have travelled to the US for the tournament but decided against buying tickets due to the eye-watering prices, or taken other steps to keep spending down.

Some have branded the price of tickets "obscene", with fans paying hundreds and even thousands of pounds to watch the action.

Green said, while he had travelled to other World Cups, it was his boys' first tournament.

"I usually like to go and see a few other games with other countries involved, but that hasn't really been possible geography-wise and cost-wise," he said.

"I'm with the family on this one, so it's a very different experience.

"But it's really enjoyable - people have been very welcoming. It's been great, we've really had a great time."

He said his sons had "heard me talk about it enough to want to come and try it out for themselves".

"Jacob finished his GCSEs a couple of weeks ago, so it's a bit of a treat for him after that."

However, there was no denying it was "an expensive trip", he said.

"It's cut it down to about 10 days, where usually I'd like a little bit longer."

KD Rai, from Hereford, is also trying to watch his pennies while travelling from Washington to New Jersey for England's game against Panama.

"The costs have been quite hard in America, so I'm getting the bus up," he said.

The Hereford FC fan said he was having "the best time" and loving the atmosphere, despite concerns about the political climate before he went out.

He confidently predicted a 4-1 win for the Three Lions on Saturday. "I think the pressure will be off a little bit because we've got four points, that should get us through to the next round.

"I think we'll play with a bit more freedom."

Back in Worcestershire, businesses who have decided to show World Cup matches are enjoying a spike in takings.

Venues such as the Copper Beech Brewing Company have been opening up especially for mid-week games following customer demand.

"We've been loving the World Cup crowd so far," the venue posted on its Facebook page.

Confirming it would also be screening the England v Panama game, it added: "Let's hope its more exciting than the last one."

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