It’s Getting too Expensive to Have Fun - WSJ
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The cost of attending live entertainment—from concerts and sporting events to theatrical productions—has reached unprecedented levels, effectively pricing out middle-class families from enjoying such experiences. This phenomenon, dubbed "funflation," increasingly transforms leisure activities into luxuries accessible only to the wealthy.
The Rising Cost of Having Fun | WSJ Weekend Reads for June 27 - WSJ
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https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-getting-too-expensive-to-have-fun-1ef87409
1. Newsletters
2. WSJ Weekend Reads
It’s Getting too Expensive to Have Fun
Plus, a future without dementia, a captivating World Cup and an alternative to the 4% rule
By
Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo
June 27, 2026 7:50 amET
---
*This is an edition of the WSJ Weekend Reads newsletter, a weekly look at our most colorful, thought-provoking and original feature stories on the business of life. If you’re not subscribed, sign up here.*
Forget the astronomical prices of World Cup tickets. The cost of going to see a regular old sporting event, a concert or even a movie is higher than ever.
---
Newsletter Sign-up
WSJ Weekend Reads
A weekly look at our most colorful, thought-provoking and original feature stories on the business of life.
---
This week we look at how this so-called funflation is no biggie for the affluent willing to pay up for experiences, but is pricing the rest of us out of the fun.
As Tiffanie Williams of Sebring, Fla., says, “If you’re wanting to get out, it’s too expensive.”
Other topics we delve into include an alternative to the 4% retirement-spending rule, the future of dementia care and Florida’s fight over the flamingo. Enjoy these and all the great reads below.
This newsletter won’t publish next weekend due to the July 4 holiday, but will return the following week. Happy 250th, America!
---
Leading Off
*Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images*
The Fun Will Cost You
We love live music, theater and sporting events—but maybe not enough to pay those high ticket prices.
---
*Dr. Marc Agronin with patient Rodney Clarke and his family.
Josh Aronson for WSJ*
Breakthroughs and Challenges
An Alzheimer’s specialist believes the next decade will show major advances in diagnoses and treatment. But educational, social and financial support is lagging.
---
See the Story
*Dummy flamingos in Florida’s Palm Beach County.
marco bello/Reuters*
*Phoebe the flamingo at Tampa International Airport.
Chris O’Meara/Associated Press*
*Flamingos sheltering in a restroom at Miami’s Metro Zoo during a hurricane.
str old/Reuters*
Florida’s Flamingo Fight
The flamingo isn’t the official state bird? Who knew. And efforts to change that are creating a political flap.
---
Your Money
*John W. Tomac for WSJ*
How Much to Withdraw
The 4% rule for spending retirement savings might work better as a starting point—not as the whole plan.
---
Sports
*Mark J. Terrill/AP, Sven White/ZUMA Press, Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters, Baptiste Fernandez/IconSport-FR/ZUMA Press, Tom Weller/dpa/ZUMA Press*
A Captivating Competition
Critics said expanding the World Cup roster to 48 countries would make the matches uncompetitive and boring. Boy were they wrong.
---
Health
*NIKOLAI SENIN FOR WSJ*
You Can Really, Really Disconnect
This writer went on a five-day silent retreat—no phone, no laptop and very little talking. Did she achieve mindfulness or risk losing her mind?
---
Tech
*Oakley Meta HSTN smartglasses.
Emma Rose Milligan for WSJ*
We Need Style and Function
We’re all likely to end up wearing a computer disguised as glasses. The question is: What will we actually use it for?
---
Travel
*The remote terminal of Boston Logan International Airport.
Dawn Gilbertson/WSJ*
A Way to Dodge the Crowds
Columnist Dawn Gilbertson tried out TSA’s new attempt to ease those long security lines at the airport: a remote terminal.
---
Style
*Amanda Chen/WSJ, iStock*
What Dress Code?
Younger workers are emphasizing the casual when it comes to dressing business casual—even on the first day.
---
Arts & Entertainment
*Everett Collection*
The Nation on Film
Starting with Charlie Chaplin, filmmakers have spent a century helping shape the idea of America in the public imagination.
---
Beyond the Newsroom
**WSJ | Buy Side:** We found budget friendly pet-insurance options that don’t compromise on care.
---
About Us
WSJ Weekend Reads is a showcase for the wide range of great feature writing at WSJ. Let us know what you think by emailing editor Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo at [email protected] (if you’re reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply).
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
---
Up Next
---
Videos
---
Most Popular News
---
Most Popular
OPINION
---
Further Reading
opinionAmerica Has Never Run from the New
opinionTrump and Vance Replay Poor Policy in Iran
opinionEmbracing the Principles of Lincoln
opinionSurely, Washington Can Be as Competent as New York
opinionTrump Isn’t Over the Hill Yet
* What to Read Next
* Most Popular News
* Most Popular Opinion
The Wall Street Journal
SubscribeSign In
* Use Alt + Down Arrow to expand.
* Print Edition
* Video
* Audio
* Latest Headlines
* Puzzles
*
* World
* Business
* U.S.
* Politics
* Economy
* Tech
* Markets & Finance
* Opinion
* Free Expression
* Arts
* Lifestyle
* Real Estate
* Personal Finance
* Health
* Style
* Sports
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by
our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact
Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-getting-too-expensive-to-have-fun-1ef87409
1. Newsletters
2. WSJ Weekend Reads
It’s Getting too Expensive to Have Fun
Plus, a future without dementia, a captivating World Cup and an alternative to the 4% rule
By
Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo
June 27, 2026 7:50 amET
---
*This is an edition of the WSJ Weekend Reads newsletter, a weekly look at our most colorful, thought-provoking and original feature stories on the business of life. If you’re not subscribed, sign up here.*
Forget the astronomical prices of World Cup tickets. The cost of going to see a regular old sporting event, a concert or even a movie is higher than ever.
---
Newsletter Sign-up
WSJ Weekend Reads
A weekly look at our most colorful, thought-provoking and original feature stories on the business of life.
---
This week we look at how this so-called funflation is no biggie for the affluent willing to pay up for experiences, but is pricing the rest of us out of the fun.
As Tiffanie Williams of Sebring, Fla., says, “If you’re wanting to get out, it’s too expensive.”
Other topics we delve into include an alternative to the 4% retirement-spending rule, the future of dementia care and Florida’s fight over the flamingo. Enjoy these and all the great reads below.
This newsletter won’t publish next weekend due to the July 4 holiday, but will return the following week. Happy 250th, America!
---
Leading Off
*Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images*
The Fun Will Cost You
We love live music, theater and sporting events—but maybe not enough to pay those high ticket prices.
---
*Dr. Marc Agronin with patient Rodney Clarke and his family.
Josh Aronson for WSJ*
Breakthroughs and Challenges
An Alzheimer’s specialist believes the next decade will show major advances in diagnoses and treatment. But educational, social and financial support is lagging.
---
See the Story
*Dummy flamingos in Florida’s Palm Beach County.
marco bello/Reuters*
*Phoebe the flamingo at Tampa International Airport.
Chris O’Meara/Associated Press*
*Flamingos sheltering in a restroom at Miami’s Metro Zoo during a hurricane.
str old/Reuters*
Florida’s Flamingo Fight
The flamingo isn’t the official state bird? Who knew. And efforts to change that are creating a political flap.
---
Your Money
*John W. Tomac for WSJ*
How Much to Withdraw
The 4% rule for spending retirement savings might work better as a starting point—not as the whole plan.
---
Sports
*Mark J. Terrill/AP, Sven White/ZUMA Press, Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters, Baptiste Fernandez/IconSport-FR/ZUMA Press, Tom Weller/dpa/ZUMA Press*
A Captivating Competition
Critics said expanding the World Cup roster to 48 countries would make the matches uncompetitive and boring. Boy were they wrong.
---
Health
*NIKOLAI SENIN FOR WSJ*
You Can Really, Really Disconnect
This writer went on a five-day silent retreat—no phone, no laptop and very little talking. Did she achieve mindfulness or risk losing her mind?
---
Tech
*Oakley Meta HSTN smartglasses.
Emma Rose Milligan for WSJ*
We Need Style and Function
We’re all likely to end up wearing a computer disguised as glasses. The question is: What will we actually use it for?
---
Travel
*The remote terminal of Boston Logan International Airport.
Dawn Gilbertson/WSJ*
A Way to Dodge the Crowds
Columnist Dawn Gilbertson tried out TSA’s new attempt to ease those long security lines at the airport: a remote terminal.
---
Style
*Amanda Chen/WSJ, iStock*
What Dress Code?
Younger workers are emphasizing the casual when it comes to dressing business casual—even on the first day.
---
Arts & Entertainment
*Everett Collection*
The Nation on Film
Starting with Charlie Chaplin, filmmakers have spent a century helping shape the idea of America in the public imagination.
---
Beyond the Newsroom
**WSJ | Buy Side:** We found budget friendly pet-insurance options that don’t compromise on care.
---
About Us
WSJ Weekend Reads is a showcase for the wide range of great feature writing at WSJ. Let us know what you think by emailing editor Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo at [email protected] (if you’re reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply).
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
---
Up Next
---
Videos
---
Most Popular News
---
Most Popular
OPINION
---
Further Reading
opinionAmerica Has Never Run from the New
opinionTrump and Vance Replay Poor Policy in Iran
opinionEmbracing the Principles of Lincoln
opinionSurely, Washington Can Be as Competent as New York
opinionTrump Isn’t Over the Hill Yet
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