Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Football Underground
General
Q: What is Football Underground?
A: 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.
Q: Who founded Football Underground?
A: 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.
Q: What problem does Football Underground solve?
A: 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.
Q: Is Football Underground free to use?
A: 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.
Q: What is Football Underground's mission?
A: 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.
Q: What cities does Football Underground cover?
A: 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.
Q: How big is the sports tourism market?
A: 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.
Q: When will Football Underground launch?
A: 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.
Q: How is Football Underground different from other travel apps?
A: 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.
Q: Can I get involved with Football Underground?
A: 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.
Using the App
Q: How do scavenger hunts work in the Football Underground app?
A: 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!
Q: How does the personalized trip planner work?
A: 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.
Q: Can I create my own scavenger hunts?
A: 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.
Q: Do I need to download an app to use Football Underground?
A: 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.
Q: How does Football Underground differ from Yelp or Google Maps?
A: 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.
Q: How do I earn rewards on Football Underground?
A: 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.
Q: Is there a mobile app available?
A: 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.
Q: Can I use Football Underground with a group or family?
A: 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.
For Businesses
Q: How do businesses get listed on Football Underground?
A: 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.
Q: How do I list my business as a point of interest?
A: 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.
Q: What analytics do businesses get?
A: 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.
Q: Is it free to list my business?
A: 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.
Merchandise & Orders
Q: Why does each item cost $200?
A: 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.
Q: How are items numbered?
A: 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.
Q: Where does the merchandise money go?
A: 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.
Q: When will items ship?
A: 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.
Q: Can I return or exchange merchandise?
A: 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.
World Cup 2026
Q: Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?
A: 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.
Q: When does the 2026 World Cup start?
A: 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.