Key takeaways

  • Cross-contact is the biggest risk for food allergies at sports events. This happens when allergens from one food unintentionally transfer to another, even if you order something allergen-free.
  • Before attending, contact the venue about allergy accommodations, prepare an emergency kit with at least two epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), and consider packing your own food if the venue permits it.
  • During the event, wipe down your seat with disinfecting wipes and keep your EpiPens within reach. If you or someone nearby experiences anaphylaxis symptoms, use an EpiPen immediately and call for medical personnel.

Sports events provide exciting opportunities to watch your favorite team play and be part of vibrant social communities.

If you have food allergies, however, attending large events may cause feelings of uncertainty, stress, and anxiety, as there are more factors out of your control that could trigger an allergic reaction.

The biggest risk factor is cross-contact, which occurs when an allergen from one food is unintentionally transferred to another, rendering it no longer completely allergen-free.

For example, if you have a fish allergy, you may order a burger. If that burger patty is grilled on the same spot as the fish and the grill has not been properly cleaned beforehand, the burger patty may absorb allergens from the fish, potentially containing allergen proteins that could trigger an allergic reaction.

While there’s an increased risk of allergies at sports events, many venues and stadiums continue to implement safety protocols to prevent and manage allergic reactions, ensuring fans feel safe and can enjoy the event.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can do before, during, and after a sports event to stay safe if you have food allergies.

Food allergy safety at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is being hosted in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Information on allergies, hospitality, parking, and ticketing for each stadium can be found on FIFA’s website. FIFA notes that each food item sold at a host stadium has a food label listing ingredients and potential allergens.

However, you may wish to contact the venue directly for more information tailored to your individual needs. You can use the dropdown menu near the top of the webpage to find more information specific to your city.

Here are some things you can do before attending a sports event to help reduce the risk of experiencing any allergic reactions once you’re there:

Contact the venue in advance

Before attending a sports event, you may wish to contact the venue to inquire about any accommodations and protocols for managing food allergies. Some questions you may consider asking include:

  • Do you have any allergy-friendly sections, suites, or games?
  • Are the seats and pathways cleaned before the game begins?
  • Where are the emergency responders located?
  • Do all restaurants and concessions have nutrition labels and ingredient lists available?
  • Can I bring my own food to the game?
  • Can I bring an allergy kit that contains emergency medication, such as an EpiPen?
  • Who from the venue can I contact in case of an emergency?

Email and phone contact information for most venues is available on their website. It’s best to get in touch with them well in advance of the event you plan to attend, as it may take them a few days to respond to your inquiry.

Prepare an allergy emergency kit

Preparing an allergy kit is key to preventing and managing potential allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. Some things to pack include:

Bring a written letter from your doctor that outlines your medical condition and any prescription medications or equipment you may require. Many venues, such as Wembley Stadium in England, require this letter to allow you to bring an allergy kit and other necessary items.

Pack your own food

Packing your own food is the most effective way to ensure none of the food you eat during the day has come into contact with an allergen.

Remember to contact the venue before the event to inquire about whether you’re permitted to bring any food, and if any foods or beverages aren’t permitted. You may need to bring a doctor’s note that outlines your need for a packed lunch.

Bring copies of email correspondence you’ve had with the venue that outline permission to bring any necessary items, such as a packed lunch and medications, in case entry staff question them.

Once you arrive at the sports event, keep any important documents within easy reach, in case the entry staff asks for them. Here are some things you may wish to do once you arrive in your seating section:

  • inquire about the nearest medical personnel
  • inform the security guard, ticketing officer, or medical personnel about your allergy
  • wipe down your seat and armrests with disinfecting wipes
  • keep your allergy kit, especially the EpiPens, at hand

It’s important to wear your allergy medical bracelet, especially if you’ve had an allergic reaction before, as this can provide critical information to emergency personnel and first responders on how to manage your situation.

If you didn’t bring a packed lunch and will be eating from the concession, carefully read the nutrition labels and consider asking the staff about their food preparation, cooking, and handling practices.

Try to avoid sharing or using common utensils, such as those used for dipping sauces and toppings.

What are the most common allergens at stadium concessions?

The most common food allergens at stadium concessions include:

  • peanuts
  • eggs
  • milk
  • wheat
  • tree nuts

The other most common food allergies to be aware of, which may also be present in concession foods, include fish, shellfish, soy, and sesame.

Learn more: What are the most common food allergies?

Can I have an allergic reaction if someone near me eats foods I’m allergic to?

Reactions to food allergens typically occur when you eat or touch the allergen, or when you touch a surface or object that has come into contact with the allergen.

Airborne allergen transmission is extremely unlikely, according to a 2024 review. This means that a person with a specific allergen is unlikely to have an allergic reaction if someone around them eats a food they’re allergic to, provided they don’t touch the food or contaminated surfaces.

A 2025 study in children with peanut allergies found similar results. Out of 323 participants with peanut allergies, 10 had an objective allergic reaction to airborne peanut allergens, and 4 required medical care.

However, while the risk is extremely low, it’s not completely risk-free. Several anecdotal reports have claimed that people with peanut allergies have experienced anaphylaxis when someone else in the room was eating peanuts.

Some stadiums, such as Fenway Park in Boston, offer Peanut Allergy Friendly (PAF) sections for certain games throughout the year, but remember that large events are not completely allergy-free.

What do I do if someone has an allergic reaction at a stadium?

If you or someone you’re with experiences symptoms of anaphylaxis — such as coughing, swelling, confusion, and shortness of breath — it’s critical to use an EpiPen immediately.

Then, call over the medical personnel as quickly as possible. Consider asking a spectator beside you to get the medical personnel in order to help accelerate the process.

Once you have used the EpiPen, lay down and raise your legs. You can lift your shoulders slightly if you’re having difficulty breathing.

If symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use the second EpiPen. By this time, medical personnel will hopefully be with you.

Learn more: How to Use an EpiPen: Step-by-Step Instructions

After a sports game, continue to monitor how you’re feeling. While allergic reactions to foods typically occur within minutes of contact with an allergen, reactions can take up to 3 hours to develop.

Symptoms to look out for include:

  • wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath
  • itchy eyes, nose, or ears
  • hives or a rash
  • nausea, vomiting, and abdominal bloating
  • swelling in the tongue, lips, or throat

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to use an EpiPen appropriately.

Once you get home, take a shower, then change into clean clothes to help reduce the risk of coming into contact with any lingering allergens.

Yes, you can bring an EpiPen to a stadium and sports event, but it’s important to have a doctor’s note outlining your allergy and EpiPen prescription. You may also wish to contact the venue before the event to inquire about any special guidance on bringing the EpiPen with you.

Many venues allow you to bring your own food if you have a food allergy, provided you have a doctor’s letter and the venue’s permission in advance via email.

That said, policies vary by venue, so it’s best to contact them before the event to confirm it’s OK.

Contact the venue beforehand via email or phone. This information can be found on their website, usually in the Contact Us section at the bottom of the homepage.

People with food allergies are at higher risk of reactions at sporting events, but there are steps you can take to prevent or manage them.

Before the event, contact the venues about allergy accommodations, food concession cooking practices, and where to locate emergency personnel once you’re there.

It’s also best to bring an allergy kit with two EpiPens and a doctor’s note to prevent any complications at the stadium entrance.