7 in 10 World Cup football fans are ready to put their digital privacy at risk, warns ExpressVPN
7 in 10 World Cup football fans are ready to put their digital privacy at risk, warns ExpressVPN
Publish Date: 2026-06-10 10:59:00
Source Domain: www.techradar.com
- 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.
(Image credit: ExpressVPN)
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.
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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…
