Publication: INSIDER
Topic(s): World Cup, football culture, sports business, fan spending, travel, host cities, Airbnb economy, personal essays, sports journalism
Rate: ~30+ cents per word

INSIDER is looking for fresh, emotionally-driven, and commercially smart stories tied to the upcoming World Cup — but not generic travel guides or predictable match coverage.

Deputy Editor Conz Preti wants pitches that explore the obsession, chaos, money, identity, and personal experiences surrounding the tournament. The publication is especially interested in stories that reveal how ordinary people, businesses, hosts, and fans are being transformed by the biggest football event on earth.

Some of the angles currently being considered include:

1. Fans spending thousands to follow their national teams across multiple cities and countries
2. Detailed breakdowns of World Cup travel costs, tickets, nightlife, and unexpected expenses
3. Comparisons between host cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, and New York
4. Airbnb hosts and local businesses making major profits during the tournament
5. The emotional and psychological extremes of football fandom
6. First-person sports journalism and reported features with strong personal access

INSIDER is specifically looking for writers with a strong personal connection to football culture, fan communities, travel experiences, or local business trends around the World Cup.
The editor notes that they are not sending writers to matches, so pitches involving stadium reviews or in-person coverage should come from writers who already have tickets, accommodations, and access.

Writers should explain:

1. Who they are
2. What story they want to write
3. Why they are uniquely positioned to tell it

This is a strong opportunity for freelance sports writers, football journalists, travel writers, cultural reporters, and feature writers looking for high-paying international writing jobs.