For smartphone viewers, the price of following the 2026 World Cup is not limited to streaming access alone. Internet data usage can push the total bill much higher, especially for fans who plan to watch many matches.
In Indonesia, matches can be watched through TVRI and official streaming services such as FolaPlay and MAXStream TV. TVRI on digital television remains the most economical route, while mobile viewers who want to stay legal must budget for both a subscription package and internet data.
Three spending scenarios for phone viewers
FolaPlay and MAXStream TV both offer weekly packages and full-tournament access. The listed prices are the same in practice, with Rp25.000 for a 7-day package on FolaPlay and MAXStream TV, then Rp85.000 for a full-tournament package on FolaPlay and a 60-day package on MAXStream TV.
Data use also matters. Citing Voyage Global, a football match streamed in HD for about two hours can use around 5 GB, while SD quality uses about 2 GB and Full HD can reach 8 GB or more.
Using an internet cost assumption of Rp2.000 per GB and consumption of 5 GB per match, the total expense for phone viewing can be grouped into three types of viewers with different habits.
Casual viewers watch only selected matches
Casual viewers usually follow only the opening match, games involving their favorite team, the semifinals, or the final. In the simulation, this group is assumed to watch 10 selected matches during the tournament.
At 5 GB per match, the total data needed reaches 50 GB. With a weekly streaming package of Rp25.000 and data costs of about Rp100.000, the total comes to around Rp125.000.
Active viewers follow key stages regularly
Active viewers keep up with the tournament more often, although they do not watch every match. The simulation uses an assumption of 35 matches, covering much of the group stage and several important knockout games.
The data requirement reaches about 175 GB. With internet costs of around Rp350.000 and three weekly packages totaling Rp75.000, the estimated spending rises to Rp425.000.
Fanatic viewers track almost every match
Fanatic viewers want to follow nearly the entire tournament, including less popular games. In the simulation, this group is assumed to watch all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup.
At 5 GB per match, the data requirement could reach 520 GB. If the viewer uses the Rp85.000 full-tournament package and internet data priced at Rp2.000 per GB, the total cost comes to around Rp1.125.000.
Starting later also changes the budget
Many viewers only become active when the tournament reaches the knockout rounds, because the competition becomes tighter. If viewing starts from the round of 32, the remaining schedule through the final includes 32 matches, with an estimated 160 GB of data and a total cost of Rp405.000.
If watching begins at the round of 16, only 16 matches remain, bringing the total to about 80 GB and Rp245.000. Starting at the quarterfinals lowers the bill to Rp165.000, while beginning only at the semifinals brings the total to around Rp125.000.
The difference in starting point changes the budget quite significantly. For longer-term viewers, the full package is more efficient because six weekly packages over the 39-day tournament would cost about Rp150.000, while the full package costs Rp85.000.