What I learned at the FIFA World Cup final: 9 tips for surviving a major stadium event

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The FIFA World Cup has come and gone after an exciting four weeks across North America, including my hometown of Vancouver. While I didn’t get the chance to attend a game at BC Place – a potential future regret as the 2010 Winter Olympics remains a core memory (yes, I was in the room for that 2010 gold medal hockey win) – I did make my way to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the final game between Spain and Argentina as they battled it out for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. 

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The day kicked off bright and early with a David Beckham brunch hosted by Verizon, the tournament’s official telecommunications sponsor. Beckham posed for photos and chatted with a group of Verizon customers who had won coveted “Golden Tickets” through the company’s Shine loyalty program – part of a larger giveaway that sent thousands of fans to World Cup matches and brought some directly onto the pitch before kickoff. 

After one very necessary latte following the previous night’s festivities, it was time to head to MetLife Stadium. Bumper to bumper traffic was unavoidable but we somehow managed to make our way to our seats before the opening ceremonies, featuring Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams, began. 

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After covering several Super Bowls, Olympic Games, a Stanley Cup Final, a college football championship and multiple Formula 1 races, I thought I knew exactly how to prepare for a long day at a stadium. I was wrong – and somehow arrived at MetLife Stadium wildly unprepared to be seated for hours in the sun. Here are nine tips I’d recommend for anyone going to a major stadium event, including several I’d do very differently next time. 

What you need to know before attending a major sporting event

1. Hydrate before arriving 

With logistics around getting in and out of any stadium, especially for a major event like this, you can always expect to a) be walking more than you anticipate, and b) be sitting outside in the sun for several hours. Staying hydrated is, without question, essential. Had I properly pre-planned, I would have loaded up on my Blume SuperBelly electrolytes in the days leading up to and morning of the game. With 80,663 fans inside MetLife Stadium – a sold out crowd – lines were long to get food and beverage. Several beverage stations also sold out of water, or only sold alcoholic beverages – meaning the options were vodka soda or zero proof beer. The near water apocalypse, along with napkin and cutlery shortage, had me seriously questioning if MetLife Stadium, home to two NFL teams and major stadium tours like Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, had forgotten how to host a major event.

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2. Bring a portable fan

A portable fan is something I wished I had thought of before Sunday afternoon. Even a simple folding paper fan would have been clutch, but I am officially investing in a high-tech one like the Dyson Hushjet Mini. Having a pocket-sized tool to stay cool would have gone a long way. This model is particularly useful, as it can be used around your neck, handheld or stationary on a desk. This device turbo-charges airflow at speeds of up to 25m/s, pretty much guaranteeing comfort while everyone else around you stays melting. 

3. Wear a hat

I frequently style my daytime looks with an array of baseball caps, but overlooked bringing one to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Verizon promised they were bringing us “closer to the game than ever before” and they absolutely delivered – which also meant being in the direct sun at a balmy 27°C (that was giving more of a 32°C vibe with all the additional body heat). I prioritized good hair and fashionable photo opportunities over practicality here, and paid the price with getting far too much sun. A hat, like my usual Polo Ralph Lauren Chino Cap, would have greatly assisted with overheating and comfort at large. 

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4. Reapply sunscreen 

I’ve always been fortunate to tan rather than burn after prolonged periods in the sun, but I still wear a generous amount of SPF – go-tos being Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 for my face. Even the best sunscreens only last a couple of hours before you need to reapply, something I seemingly forgot before the FIFA World Cup Final. By halftime, I started feeling the back of my neck burn up, as well as the tip of my nose. As for the sunscreen, I’d bring my Naked Sundays’ popular Hydrating Glow Mist SPF 50+ Top Up Spray, which conveniently comes in a mini-sized travel size that fits into even the smallest bag.

5. Wear comfortable shoes 

A trendy thong sandal was certainly tempting for a fashion forward look, but ultimately sneakers won out. I hotly debated a fresh pair of Adidas but, wearing brand new shoes to a major event like this is also usually a bad idea. I opted for my tried-and-true Reebok Club C 85s: they remain comfortable no matter how many steps I’m getting in. Between security, walking around the venue and getting out afterward, I logged well over 10,000 steps.

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6. Eat before you go

While I was very much looking forward to stadium chicken tenders, potentially long lines and distances to find food inside MetLife seemed precarious. Lesson: don’t assume you’ll get something once you’re inside. I did settle on half of a decent chicken parm sandwich, but was starving by the time I got one. Moral of the story, eat before you come – and also think ahead about protein based snacks you can eat on the car ride over, like nuts.

7. Bring a portable charger 

Phones work overtime in stadiums or whenever there’s a mass amount of people in one concentrated area – throw in hot weather, and it could be a recipe for disaster for your phone battery. My iPhone 15 dropped from 20% to 8% in one fell swoop once it began overheating, so I quickly moved it to a shaded drink holder and plugged in my portable Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank.

8. Check the stadium bag policy 

Stadium policies seem to be getting stricter and stricter around using clear bags, as well as size dimensions. These aren’t standard across North America, or even event to event in the same venue – always be sure to check a stadium’s website before going. While I switched things up for a plexiglass Louis Vuitton Scott Box for the FIFA World Cup, my usual stadium go-to has become the Stoney Clover Clear Pouchette Crossbody for an elevated and stylish option. 

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9. Bring sunglasses 

I sometimes forget about sunglasses, but on a hot and bright day, shades can make all the difference. For a contact lens wearer like myself, they’re especially a must. I sported Krewe’s Kate style in Nikko Tortoise on Sunday afternoon for a practical and stylish option.

Concluding thoughts

The atmosphere of the game was the highlight over anything. I was hopeful for more goals, but alas – the score remained 0-0 heading into the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show. As a pop culture head, I was excited to see what was in store – however, the show left me scratching my head. Madonna kicking off things with 2000s “Music” was a strong start – until it seemed that the segment was seemingly pre-taped. The choice to have the pop legend on the field for only a minute was most bizarre of all. Much of the halftime show seemed disjointed with blink-and-you-miss-it moments. Fellow Canadian Justin Bieber was a welcome addition, although arguably a little low energy for a short 11 minute show, quickly corrected by BTS and Shakira. 

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In a rather uneventful game, Spain came in late with the single goal after the addition of extra time. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined other hosting world leaders and the FIFA president on-stage to present Lamine Yamal and the Spanish team with their medals in a concluding awards ceremony, wrapping up the FIFA World Cup until 2030. 

Despite the heat – and my own packing mistakes – none of those things took away from an unforgettable day. Watching more than 80,000 fans erupt as Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup Trophy is something I’ll never forget. If I’m lucky enough to attend another World Cup Final, though, I’ll definitely be wearing a baseball cap, carrying a portable fan and packing a travel-size sunscreen.

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