A devoted football enthusiast splurged £22,000 on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the World Cup but found England match tickets beyond reach due to their high prices.
Ben Laing aimed to create unforgettable memories for his sons, Alfie and James. However, the steep costs of tickets and accommodations for England games pushed him to opt for attending five matches involving various other countries. The boys, particularly 12-year-old Alfie, were thrilled about the upcoming experience, with Alfie even granted permission to depart school early for a flight to the United States for the tournament.
Ben Laing, a 50-year-old scaffold product manager from Liverpool, expressed that although the overall expense of approximately £22,000 was substantial, the trip would undoubtedly be a remarkable adventure for his sons, covering expenses for match tickets, hotels, and flights.
During their journey, the family seized educational opportunities as well. While in Dallas, Alfie and James learned about historical events such as the JFK assassination and encountered a statue of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Ben also recounted a memorable moment when they saw the Japanese team bus passing by the location.
Reflecting on their decision not to purchase England tickets due to the high costs, Ben mentioned their plans to attend other World Cup games, including Algeria vs. Argentina in Kansas City and South Africa vs. Czech Republic in Atlanta. The family also scheduled visits to watch Holland vs. Japan in Dallas and Panama vs. Croatia as well as Senegal vs. Iraq in Toronto, where Ben’s wife Denise would join them for two games.
Being ardent Liverpool supporters, the family had the opportunity to witness Liverpool’s Premier League victory in 2025 from the Kop. Alfie, a fan of Morgan Rogers, and James, who admires Jude Bellingham, eagerly anticipated attending the five games.
England’s tournament journey commenced in Dallas with a match against Croatia. Subsequently, the team would travel to Boston and New York for their upcoming games. The Three Lions’ opening match in Dallas was set to draw over 20,000 fans, mainly comprising expatriates residing in the Dallas area or visitors from various parts of the United States.
