Houston soccer fans are going to pay some of the highest prices in the country for game-day takeout during the upcoming World Cup, a new study shows.
The Bovada Sportsbook study found that Houston is the third most expensive market in the country for takeout chicken wings. An eight-piece order averages $18.03 — about $2.25 per wing — behind only New York City and San Francisco.
The price spike comes just as millions of Americans prepare to host watch parties or head to bars for the tournament. Wing prices have been volatile for years due to inflation, high labor costs, and supply chain issues, often peaking during major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.
The study shows a massive price gap across Texas for game-day food. Houston and San Antonio rank among the most expensive cities in the country for wings, but other areas of Texas remain notably affordable.
San Antonio ranked eighth nationwide with an average wing order costing $16.43, and El Paso stood out as one of the cheapest cities in the country, averaging $12.95 for eight wings.
According to the report, the 10 most expensive U.S. cities for an eight-piece wing order are:
- New York City: $19.14
- San Francisco: $18.66
- Houston: $18.03
- Denver: $17.66
- Miami: $17.25
- Colorado Springs: $17.11
- Virginia Beach: $17.00
- San Antonio: $16.43
- Los Angeles: $16.32
- Seattle: $16.20
Atlanta was identified as the most affordable city in the study, with eight wings costing an average of $11.53, nearly $6.50 less than the average price in Houston.
Houston residents face similarly high costs for other staples, ranking eighth most expensive in the nation for a cheeseburger at an average of $14.73. New York City was the priciest at $17.27, while Oklahoma City had the cheapest at $8.99.
Texas fared much better when it came to pizza.
El Paso was named the most affordable city in the United States for takeout pizza, with a large cheese pizza averaging $14.54. Dallas and Fort Worth also ranked among the top 10 most affordable pizza markets nationwide.
