Conn. (WFSB) – The NFL season starts next week, and a new study finds fewer people plan to spend money on football this year
Being a football fan can add up, whether it’s going to <a href="https://comicvibe.com/epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-says-the-industry-is-crashing/” title=”Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney Says The Industry Is Crashing”>games or buying gear. For those wanting to attend the Patriots home opener against the Steelers, the cheapest tickets were more than $300 apiece. A Drake Maye jersey from the official store costs $150.
“There’s little that Americans love more than football, but even football spending isn’t immune from some of the challenges that are being caused by the economy,” said Matt Schultz, chief consumer finance analyst with LendingTree.
LendingTree surveyed more than 2,000 consumers and found only 54% of people plan to spend money on football this year, down from 65% in 2025. Of those who are spending, 36% say they plan to spend less because of the economy.
Schultz said if football is important to you, you should budget for it like anything else.
“Start putting money away earlier and have a football savings fund that you put a little bit of money into a high yield savings account out of each paycheck and let that compound interest grow and once it comes time for kickoff having those savings even a little bit out of each paycheck can make it easier,” Schultz said.
When it comes to betting on football, 36% say they plan to spend on sports betting or fantasy football, down from 44% last year.
Among those who plan to bet on sports, 40% plan to spend $500 or more and 34% say they’re willing to lose $500 or more.
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