Question 1

What is Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

Football Underground is a spectator sports fan experience platform that helps traveling fans discover local bars, restaurants, and hidden gems near major stadiums. Through community-curated content, gamified scavenger hunts, and local insider knowledge, we transform ordinary game days into unforgettable adventures.

Question 2

Who founded Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

Football Underground was founded by Gregory Rubendall, a passionate sports fan who saw a need for a platform that helps traveling fans experience cities the way locals do — not through chain restaurants and tourist traps, but through the hidden gems that make game day unforgettable.

Question 3

What problem does Football Underground solve?

Accepted Answer

When fans travel to a game — whether alone, with friends, or with family — most have little knowledge of what to do or where to go. Unless they have local connections or stick to known chains, they miss the best experiences a city has to offer. Football Underground bridges that gap with community-curated local recommendations, scavenger hunts, and personalized game day planning.

Question 4

What is Football Underground's mission?

Accepted Answer

Our mission is to enhance the fan experience by connecting traveling sports enthusiasts with authentic, community-curated local experiences near major stadiums. We believe every game day should be an adventure, not a guessing game.

Question 5

How big is the sports tourism market?

Accepted Answer

The US sports tourism market is valued at $47.1 billion according to the US Travel Association and Sports ETA. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 bringing 48 teams to 16 cities across three countries, the opportunity for fan-driven local discovery has never been greater.

Question 6

How is Football Underground different from other travel apps?

Accepted Answer

Unlike generic review platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor, Football Underground is purpose-built for sports fans. We combine local curation, gamified scavenger hunts, fan group integration, and personalized game day planning into a single platform — something no other app offers for the traveling sports fan.

Question 7

Can I get involved with Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can sign up for early access to be among the first users, list your business as a point of interest, join our community to share local tips and recommendations, or support our mission by purchasing limited-edition merchandise. Every contribution helps us build a better platform for fans everywhere.

Question 8

Is Football Underground free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Creating a fan account and discovering local spots is completely free. We may offer premium features and exclusive content in the future, but the core experience of exploring and discovering local game day spots will always be free.

Question 9

What cities does Football Underground cover?

Accepted Answer

We are launching with all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This includes Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

Question 10

When will Football Underground launch?

Accepted Answer

Football Underground is launching before the FIFA World Cup 2026, which begins on June 11, 2026. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when we go live and to receive exclusive early access.

Question 11

How do scavenger hunts work in the Football Underground app?

Accepted Answer

Scavenger hunts are GPS-triggered challenges near stadiums and points of interest. When you're near a location, challenges unlock automatically. Complete them to earn points, badges, and rewards. You can join community-created hunts or create your own!

Question 12

Can I create my own scavenger hunts?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our platform allows community members and businesses to create custom scavenger hunts. Whether you're a local fan who wants to share your favorite spots or a business owner looking to drive foot traffic, you can design and publish your own hunts.

Question 13

How does Football Underground differ from Yelp or Google Maps?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Yelp or Google Maps, Football Underground is specifically designed for sports fans. We offer curated game day experiences, scavenger hunts, fan group integration, and community-driven content tailored to the unique needs of traveling sports fans. We don't just list restaurants — we create adventures.

Question 14

Is there a mobile app available?

Accepted Answer

Our mobile app for iOS and Android is currently in development and will be available before the World Cup 2026. In the meantime, our web platform provides the full Football Underground experience and is optimized for mobile browsers.

Question 15

How does the personalized trip planner work?

Accepted Answer

Our 'Choose Your Own Adventure' trip planner lets you customize your game day experience based on your budget, interests, group size, and preferences. Tell us what you're into — food, nightlife, culture, family activities — and we'll create a personalized itinerary near the stadium.

Question 16

Do I need to download an app to use Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

No! You can access Football Underground through our web platform on any device. Our mobile app for iOS and Android is currently in development and will be available before the World Cup 2026 kicks off. The web experience is fully optimized for mobile browsers.

Question 17

How do I earn rewards on Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

You earn rewards by completing scavenger hunt challenges, checking in at points of interest, leaving reviews, and engaging with the community. Points accumulate toward badges, leaderboard rankings, and exclusive perks from partner businesses near stadiums.

Question 18

Can I use Football Underground with a group or family?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Football Underground is designed for solo travelers, friend groups, and families alike. Our personalized trip planner lets you specify your group size and preferences — whether you want kid-friendly activities, nightlife spots, or a mix of everything.

Question 19

How do businesses get listed on Football Underground?

Accepted Answer

Business owners can create a free account, fill out their business profile with location, hours, menu, and special game day offerings, and submit for review. Once approved, your business becomes a discoverable point of interest for traveling fans in your area.

Question 20

How do I list my business as a point of interest?

Accepted Answer

Business owners can register their establishment as a point of interest on Football Underground. Simply create a business account, fill out your profile with your location, menu, hours, and special game day offerings, and you'll be discoverable to thousands of traveling fans.

Question 21

Is it free to list my business?

Accepted Answer

During our beta launch phase, business listings are completely free. We want to build a comprehensive network of local spots before the World Cup. In the future, we may offer premium listing features and analytics for a subscription fee.

Question 22

What analytics do businesses get?

Accepted Answer

Listed businesses receive a dashboard showing impressions (how many fans saw your listing), visits (click-throughs and check-ins), and estimated ROI from your Football Underground presence. This helps you understand the value of being a game day destination.

Question 23

Why does each item cost $200?

Accepted Answer

Every item is a limited edition, individually numbered collector's piece (only 100 made per item). The $200 price reflects the premium quality and exclusivity. More importantly, every dollar goes directly toward building Football Underground — funding development, marketing, community events, and new features.

Question 24

How are items numbered?

Accepted Answer

Each item is numbered #1 through #100 and assigned sequentially based on purchase order. The first buyer receives #1, the second buyer receives #2, and so on. Your edition number is permanently associated with your item and certificate of authenticity.

Question 25

Where does the merchandise money go?

Accepted Answer

100% of merchandise revenue funds Football Underground: Marketing (40%), Feature Development (35%), Community Events (15%), and Operations (10%). Your purchase directly helps us build a better platform for fans everywhere.

Question 26

When will items ship?

Accepted Answer

Orders are processed within 5-7 business days and shipped via tracked delivery. Estimated delivery time is 7-14 business days within the US, and 14-21 business days internationally. You'll receive a tracking number via email once your order ships.

Question 27

Can I return or exchange merchandise?

Accepted Answer

Due to the limited edition nature of our merchandise, all sales are final. Each item is individually numbered and cannot be restocked. If you receive a damaged or defective item, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery for a replacement.

Question 28

Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across 16 cities in three countries: 11 cities in the USA, 2 in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), and 3 in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey). The opening match will be at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the final at MetLife Stadium in New York/NJ.

Question 29

When does the 2026 World Cup start?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The opening match will take place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, and the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Using the App

For Businesses

Merchandise & Orders

World Cup 2026

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