- 73% of fans surveyed trust public Wi-Fi just by its name
- Evil Twin Attacks Exploit Stadium Networks
- Using a quality VPN secures your data on public networks
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, millions of soccer fans are set to inadvertently expose themselves to cyber threats by prioritizing connectivity over security on stadium Wi-Fi networks.
A recent study commissioned by ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN services on the market, reveals a surprising disconnect between fan enthusiasm and cybersecurity awareness ahead of major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup.
A survey of 6,000 football fans across six markets revealed that 73% said they would trust and connect to a public Wi-Fi network if it used the name of a venue they visited. Still, 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 stems from several factors: the desire to share live moments instantly on social media, check results and statistics in real time, stream matches or simply stay connected while traveling to venues. For many followers, all of this feels like an essential part of traveling, so they happily connect to unsecured networks despite the risks.
Stadium Wi-Fi represents one of the most vulnerable points in a fan’s match day. These large public networks create ideal conditions for cybercriminals to implement simple but effective attack vectors.
Among the most widespread threats is what are known as evil twin attacks, a technique that involves cybercriminals setting up rogue Wi-Fi networks that mimic legitimate access points to gaming venues to trick people into connecting.
As Aaron Engel, ExpressVPN’s Chief Information Security Officer, explained: “Cybercriminals don’t need sophisticated tools to target 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 carry more trust than they should.”
Once connected to a rogue 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 immediate inconvenience, with younger fans facing the highest stakes. In the US, for example, 30.2% of fans aged 18 to 29 admitted to checking their banking or financial apps while connected to stadium Wi-Fi.
With personal information becoming increasingly valuable, the cost of connecting to the unsecured network can end up being surprisingly high.
Fortunately, protecting yourself doesn’t require sacrificing connectivity or the ability to share your experience on match day. Taking several simple security measures can significantly reduce exposure to these common threats.
First and foremost, fans should avoid performing sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi network completely. Banking applications, shopping purchases and password changes should all wait until you’re on a secure, private connection.
Using a reputable virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all your traffic regardless of the underlying network quality, creating a secure tunnel that prevents even advanced attackers from reading transmitted data.
In addition, travelers should disable automatic Wi-Fi connections before arrival at destination stadiums. Supporters should also secure their device operating systems and applications are updated before the journey, and activate two-factor authentication (2FA) on 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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