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- 73% of surveyed fans 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 football fans are set to unintentionally expose 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 startling 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 were attending. Yet 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 real-time scores and stats, stream matches, or simply stay connected while traveling to venues. For many supporters, all of this feels like an essential part of traveling, so they willingly connect to unsecured networks despite the risks.
"Cybercriminals don't need sophisticated tools"
Stadium Wi-Fi represents one of the most vulnerable points in a fan’s matchday experience. These large-scale public networks create ideal conditions for cybercriminals to deploy simple yet effective attack vectors.
Among the most prevalent threats is what's known as evil twin attacks, a technique that involves cybercriminals setting up rogue Wi-Fi networks that mimic legitimate venue access points 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 for such a trap extend far beyond momentary 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 on stadium Wi-Fi.
With personal information becoming increasingly valuable, the price of connecting to that unsecured network could end up being surprisingly high.
How football fans can protect themselves
Fortunately, protecting yourself doesn't require sacrificing connectivity or the ability to share your matchday experience. Taking several straightforward security measures can significantly reduce exposure to these common threats.
First and foremost, fans should avoid conducting sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi networks entirely. 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 of your traffic regardless of the underlying network quality, creating a secure tunnel that prevents even advanced attackers from reading transmitted data.
Additionally, travelers should disable automatic Wi-Fi connections before arriving at destination stadiums. Supporters should also ensure their device operating systems and applications are updated before travel, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts.
By combining these practices, football fans can navigate the 2026 World Cup with confidence and focus on the game rather than security threats.
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