English football fans dream of following the national team to the World Cup Final. This could be a costly dream though as supporting the team all the way in South Africa this year, should they make it, could set them back over £9,000 – and that’s before the cost of any match day tickets!New research for Sainsbury’s Finance indicates that factoring in the cost of economy class return flights to South Africa, travel between host cities, hotel accommodation during the tournament, as well as food and drink throughout the month long event could leave the most avid fans with an overall estimated bill of £9,084. A sum which equates to more than a third of the average national salary in the UK - £25,800(3).

Despite recent suggestions that hotel prices were being cut after poor bookings, the research undertaken by Sainsbury’s Finance indicates that at the host cities for England’s group and potential knock-out stage games, room prices remain high. On average, fans are likely to face room bills of around £185 per night at mid-market hotels. Should England reach the final this would amount to a total hotel bill of around £6,150(2) alone.

Travel whilst in South Africa may also prove costly. Should England make it to the final, as well as racking up ‘hard yards’ on the pitch, the national team will cover over 4,300 kilometres travelling between their host cities of Johannesburg, Rustenburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Fans hoping to follow them face paying an estimated travel bill of £670 in air and coach fares(4).

Expense Estimated cost

Return flights to South Africa £1,253(5)

Travel between venues in South Africa £670(4)

Accommodation in South Africa £6,145(2)

Food and drink in South Africa £1,020(6)
Total £9,084