When I heard the World Cup was being played in the US, Mexico, and Canada, I was excited because I figured I could watch as many games in person as I liked.
Then the ticket prices came out, and I realized I would not be able to make my dream come true.
Then I learned about hospitality tickets, and I figured this was once in a lifetime type of experience.
Fútbol is my passion
I'm from Argentina and grew up watching our national team play. I've watched every single World Cup game, even when it meant waking up in the middle of the night during tournaments hosted in Asia.
I had seen the team play live in friendly games in several countries and had attended both the Copa América semi-finals and finals in New York. My dad and I even debated flying to Qatar for the final of the 2022 World Cup, which Argentina won. We ended up not going, but attending a final still remains a dream of mine.
Now I was crushed when I saw Category 3 tickets (essentially the nosebleed seats) being resold on platforms like StubHub for over $3,500 for Argentina's round-of-16 match. While I understand the hype, it's Messi's last World Cup, it was being played in Miami, which is a huge destination for Argentines, and we were playing against the sweetheart team that stole everyone's hearts — Cape Verde.
I bought hospitality tickets
I wasn't ready to give up on my dream, especially since my dad — who is 81 years old — said we could go together if we could find tickets. He has been to four World Cups, but we had never gone to one together.
It felt like a core memory in the making, so I started looking around all the reselling platforms for tickets. Feeling out of luck, I checked FIFA's official site and saw that a few hospitality tickets were available for purchase at a price lower than Category 3 tickets.
Hospitality tickets include a dedicated entrance, access to an air-conditioned lounge, all the food and drinks, midfield seats, and an exclusive gameday souvenir. Some stadiums also have a dedicated store inside the lounges and parking.
There are different categories of VIP tickets. For example, for the USA against Belgium match, tickets range from $2,000 to over $8,000.
It seemed like a decent-enough deal, or so I told myself.
I hit "purchase" while holding my breath. Two days later, when it was confirmed that Argentina was playing in Miami, the same tickets I had purchased more than doubled in price.
Tickets were still expensive, but worth it
The hospitality lounge gives you access three hours before kick-off. We arrived at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium early, so my dad could enter at his own pace, as he has mobility issues.
As soon as the On Location team, the official Hospitality Provider for FIFA World Cup 2026 that manages VIPs, saw my dad walk in, they quickly assigned someone to help us navigate the massive stadium. We were taken straight into the lounge's door, where we were given our bracelets and souvenir vouchers.
Inside, there were about 20 food stations, with a variety ranging from pizza and mac and cheese to serrano ham burgers and grilled fish. There were also different dessert stations, including a chocolate fountain.
We had lunch and a couple of drinks to calm our nerves, and about 30 minutes before the game, we moved to our seats, which were excellent.
It was a nail-biting game
The game was unbelievable, and we got our money's worth in excitement. When Argentina finally won in the last minute, I celebrated with my dad and thousands of other fans. Those few seconds of everyone screaming in unison will be forever ingrained in my brain.
After giving the Cape Verde players a standing ovation, we moved back to the VIP lounge where we had dinner, drank some water to hydrate, shopped for commemorative shirts, and picked up our souvenir — three Miami-themed keychains.
Hospitality tickets give you access to the lounge for two hours after the game, which was key for my dad to catch his breath and lower his blood pressure. By the time we left the stadium, there was no traffic, and we had no issues leaving. The staff was also incredibly friendly and helpful with my dad, yet again.
While buying hospitality tickets was definitely a splurge — and one I can't afford to do regularly — I have no regrets. I will remember that day forever.
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Conz Preti doesn't just cover the stories that matter to modern families — she shapes them.An award-winning editor and author with over 15 years in digital media, Conz has built a career at the intersection of parenting, health, and culture. Armed with a master's in digital journalism from Columbia University, her byline has appeared across the publications millennials turn to most — and her editorial instincts have shaped countless more stories behind the scenes.She's the author of "Too Pregnant To Move" and a contributing voice in "100 Diverse Voices on Parenthood" — because she doesn't just edit the conversation around modern parenting, she's part of it. As Deputy Editor, she leads a team of editors and reporters, and works with endless freelancers covering parenting, health, college life, and sex and relationships.Originally from Argentina and a mom of three under 8, Conz brings lived experience and sharp editorial vision to every room she walks into.Some of her viral essays are:
- My 8-year-old invited his 4 best friends to dinner. I sat at a separate table and watched them have fun independently.
- We gave our kids only my husband's last name. Years later I regretted it, so we changed them all to include mine.
- My toddler wanted to be a sand dune for Halloween. I asked a costume expert for help and the results didn't disappoint.
- I realized I was spending over $2,000 a year to get my builder gel nails. I decided to stop and save that money.
- I got my kids, all 7 and under, a landline. They invited friends over on a snow day without my help, and I was thrilled.
- A mom of identical twins said she had to go to the police to tell her babies apart. As a parent of twins, here's how I avoid mix-ups.Besides creating viral content, Conz was also the editor behind these powerful stories:
- I stopped being the first to reach out to friends. It made me realize I don't need to be liked by everyone.
- My toddler came out as trans at age 4. He's so much happier now.
- Long-term elder care in the US can cost 5-figures a month. These families are moving to Mexico for cheaper options.
- Boomers seem to have traded in the child-raising village for traveling. Now millennial parents say they have no one to support them.
- I moved with my kids to a hotel room. It's cheaper than renting an apartment and has many amenities
- My 11-year-old walked less than a mile away from home. I was arrested and charged with reckless conduct.
