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TORONTO — As this summer’s big game arrives on home soil, new research commissioned by PayPal shows Canadian fans are balancing the excitement of a once-in-a-lifetime event with a cautious approach to spending. A national survey of 1,043 Canadian adults conducted June 3–5, 2026 found that nearly half (44%) of respondents would reduce discretionary spending in other areas to attend matches or enjoy tournament-related experiences. The findings highlight the growing importance Canadians place on memorable, shared experiences, and the role of digital payments in helping them plan, pay and participate with confidence.
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Canada isn’t just hosting the big tournament, it’s living it. Those who consider themselves fans are willing to make real trade-offs to be part of it. While more than half of all Canadian adults (56%) surveyed say attending wouldn’t require any budgetary changes, that drops to just one in five (21%) among soccer fan Gen Zer’s, meaning many young fans are actively reshuffling their budgets.
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PayPal’s poll found the biggest trade-offs aren’t big-ticket luxuries, but rituals fans are willing to pause for the tournament:
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- Dining out. Nearly one in three self-identified soccer fans (31%) surveyed say they would cut back on restaurants to free up funds, nearly double the national average of 19%.
- Going out with friends. 27% of self-identified soccer fans who responded in the poll would scale back on social plans to make room for the tournament, compared to 18% of Canadians overall.
- Non-essential shopping. 21% of fans would cut surveyed discretionary shopping, versus 13% of all adults.
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Canadians are prioritizing the fan experience this summer
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While fans may be trimming everyday spending, they are still ready to spend where it matters. PayPal’s poll shows tournament-related spending intent across every part of the fan experience:
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- Food fuels fandom. Food and snacks top the list, with 64% of Canadians who responded willing to spend on game-day essentials, the highest of any category surveyed.
- Watching together remains a key part of the experience. Nearly half (48%) plan to spend at restaurants and sports bars, while 41% expect to spend on watch parties and social gatherings.
- Fans are prepared to travel for the action. Among Canadians who identify as tournament fans, 42% are willing to spend on accommodations and 41% on travel packages. Enthusiasm is particularly strong among Gen Z fans, with more than half (54%) of respondents willing to spend on hotels. Overall, one in four Canadian adults is willing to spend on accommodations or match tickets.
- Canadians are also investing in how they watch and support their teams. More than a third (35%) of respondents plan to spend on streaming subscriptions, while 30% expect to purchase official jerseys, merchandise or other fan gear.
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Canadian Gen Z are all in for the tournament
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For many young Canadians, this summer’s tournament is more than a sporting event, it’s a cultural moment they don’t want to miss. While 44% of Canadian adults surveyed say they would make cutbacks to attend matches or participate in tournament-related experiences, that figure climbs to 63% among Gen Z, making them the most committed fan segment surveyed.
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Their enthusiasm is translating into action:
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- They’re willing to work for it. More than one in five Gen Z Canadians surveyed (21%) say they would take on extra work or a side hustle to fund their tournament plans, nearly double the national average (11%).
- They’re willing to stretch their budgets. Fifteen percent say they would spend beyond their regular budget for the chance to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event, compared with 8% of Canadians overall.
- They’re making it a shared experience. Gen Z fans are significantly more likely to watch with friends and family, whether at someone’s home (37% vs. 24% overall) or at larger gatherings and watch parties (17% vs. 10%), highlighting the social nature of fandom and the growing importance of shared experiences.
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“For Gen Z, this tournament isn’t just about watching the action, it’s about being part of it,” said Michael Covin, Enterprise Sales Director, PayPal Canada. “Whether that’s travelling to a match, hosting a watch party or finding creative ways to fund the experience, younger Canadians are showing they’re willing to spend money on moments and memories that matter most.”
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Secure and flexible payments are part of the game plan
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As travel, tickets and accommodations add up, Canadian fans are increasingly factoring payment choice into their soccer plans. Security tops the list of considerations for Canadian adults surveyed when choosing how to pay during the tournament, with 74% saying it matters, followed by wide acceptance (70%) and purchase protection (66%), reinforcing the importance of trusted brands at checkout. Easy bill splitting is also a priority for 52% of fans, with real-world implications: 17% plan to split costs in real time via a payment app, and 22% rely on one person booking while the group pays them back. Beyond that, 42% cite being “safer than carrying cash” as their top digital wallet advantage, and 21% say digital tools help them feel more in control.
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The survey also reveals growing openness to flexible payment options as costs climb:
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- Two in five Canadian adults (43%) say installment options are very or somewhat important when choosing how to pay for tournament‑related expenses, a figure that rises to 55% among self‑identified soccer tournament fans, indicating a stronger appetite for flexible payments within the fan base.
- In Canada, consideration of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions are 11% for expenses that exceed 3,000 Canadian dollars.
- Millennials are the most likely to choose BNPL for tournament-related expenses of 5,500 Canadian dollars or more (18%), ahead of Gen Z (15%), Gen X (9%) and Baby Boomers (5%).
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