UK Fans Warned Over Costly US Roaming Ahead of 2026 World Cup
With World Cup fever building across North America, hundreds of thousands of UK supporters are preparing to descend on host cities from New York to Los Angeles. But while fans are gearing up to navigate stadiums, order Ubers and share every goal in real time, telecom experts are warning that one thing could derail the trip: roaming charges.
Roaming in the US remains one of the most expensive pitfalls for British travellers. A few days of maps, messaging and match updates can lead to unexpectedly high bills, particularly for those relying on standard UK roaming add‑ons or pay‑as‑you‑go rates.
Holafly, the travel eSIM provider, is urging supporters to secure their connectivity before departure to avoid returning home to charges that rival the cost of their match tickets.
Big savings on US data
Holafly says fans can avoid premium roaming fees by purchasing a US eSIM with generous or unlimited data for the duration of their trip. The model offers a single upfront cost and removes the risk of surprise extras — leaving more of the travel budget for merchandise and match‑day spending.
Set‑up before kick‑off
Travellers can install their eSIM at home in minutes by scanning a QR code. Once they land in the US or Canada, their device connects automatically, eliminating the need to find a SIM shop, switch numbers or handle physical SIM cards on arrival.
Stay connected when it matters
With host cities expected to be busy and unfamiliar, reliable data will be essential for accessing digital tickets, stadium routes, translation tools, safety information, hotel bookings and ride‑hailing apps. Fans will also be able to share content, stream replays and stay in touch with their group without worrying about data usage.
Keep your UK number
Most eSIM users can keep their UK number active for calls and texts while using local‑rate data in the US — meaning friends and family can still reach them, but without incurring roaming‑price data charges.
As the tournament approaches, Holafly is encouraging UK supporters to treat connectivity as a core part of their match‑day planning – alongside flights, accommodation and tickets -to ensure staying online is seamless throughout their trip.