Cities hosting the World Cup could mandate mandatory tipping in restaurants. Tipping is common in the United States, but restaurants worry that fans are not used to it and won’t tip.
The World Cup is already classified as one of the most expensive events ever held, with a 20% service tip likely to be added to the bill. Soccer fans have to pay for tickets, hotels, travel and meals. In Missouri, Kansas City will host six games and 650,000 people are expected to attend.
The Missouri Restaurant Association is asking local eateries to bring a mandatory tip, GB News reports.
“We just want to make sure that servers and bartenders actually receive tips,” said Trey Myers, the association’s director of marketing and communications.
In some other countries, such as the UK and Australia, tipping is not common. However, in America customers are expected to add a tip.
In Kansas City, restaurants may apply an automatic tip charge of up to 22%.
Boston, which will host seven games, is considering similar measures. This includes two Scotland matches and one England match.
The measure has received mixed reactions, with some people supporting the idea and others criticizing it on social media as “selfish”.
Hotel prices have already increased significantly in some cities hosting matches.
Jet fuel costs have soared by 85% since the Iran conflict, causing airfares to double.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on FIFA to make tickets more affordable, but there is no sign that this will happen anytime soon.
In the UK, pubs will stay open until 2am during World Cup matches involving either England or Scotland.
This is the first time in 10 years that extra license time has been granted for the finals in your home country.
All 48 teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, with the 37-day tournament fast approaching.
The World Cup will begin on June 11th in Mexico and will consist of 103 matches, ending with the World Cup final on July 19th at MetLife Stadium.
