- 73% of fans surveyed trust public Wi-Fi only by name
- Evil Twins Attacks Blow Up Stadium Networks
- Using a quality VPN protects your data on public networks
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, millions of soccer fans are unintentionally exposing themselves to cyber threats by prioritizing connectivity over security on stadium Wi-Fi networks.
A recent survey commissioned by ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN services on the market, reveals a surprising disconnect between fan enthusiasm and cybersecurity awareness ahead of big tournaments like the 2026 World Cup.
A survey of 6,000 football fans in six markets revealed that 73% said they would trust and connect to a public Wi-Fi network if it used the name of the venue they attended. However, fewer than four in 10 fans said they could reliably tell a real public Wi-Fi network from a fake one.
This willingness to accept danger arises from several factors: the desire to share live moments instantly on social media, check scores and statistics in real time, stream matches, or simply stay connected while traveling to locations. For many followers, this all seems like an essential part of the journey, so they voluntarily connect to unsecured networks despite the risks.
Stadium Wi-Fi represents one of the most vulnerable points in a fan’s game day experience. These large-scale public networks create ideal conditions for cybercriminals to deploy simple but effective attack vectors.
Among the most common threats is what is known as evil twin attacks, a technique that involves cybercriminals setting up rogue Wi-Fi networks that mimic legitimate access points to locations to trick people into connecting.
As Aaron Engel, chief information security officer at ExpressVPN, explained: “Cybercriminals don’t need sophisticated tools to attack football fans. They can name a network after a stadium, hotel, or fan event and wait for people to connect. Our research shows that familiar names generate more trust than they should.”
Once connected to a fraudulent network, attackers can intercept login credentials, financial data, and personal messages. This exposure can lead to unauthorized account access, identity theft, and financial fraud.
The consequences of falling into such a trap go far beyond momentary inconveniences, and younger fans face what is at stake. In the United States, for example, 30.2% of fans between 18 and 29 years old admitted to having consulted their banking or financial applications while connected to the stadium’s Wi-Fi network.
As personal information becomes increasingly valuable, the price of connecting to that unsecured network could end up being surprisingly high.
Fortunately, protecting yourself doesn’t require sacrificing connectivity or the ability to share your game day experience. Taking several simple security measures can significantly reduce your exposure to these common threats.
First of all, fans should Avoid performing sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi networks. networks completely. Banking apps, purchases, and password changes should wait until you’re on a private, secure connection.
Using a accredited virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all your traffic regardless of the quality of the underlying network, creating a secure tunnel that prevents even advanced attackers from reading transmitted data.
Additionally, travelers must disable automatic Wi-Fi connections before reaching the destination stadiums. Followers should also ensure that their device Operating systems and applications are up to date. before traveling, and allow two factor authentication (2FA) in all accounts.
By combining these practices, soccer fans can navigate the 2026 World Cup with confidence and focus on the game rather than security threats.
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