World Cup ‘charm bracelets’ spark huge queues across US fan zones | OneFootball

Free World Cup charm bracelets have gone viral across the United States, prompting hours-long queues and a resale market where some charms fetch hundreds of dollars.

At Atlanta's Centennial Park FIFA Fan Festival, the Bank of America stand has become the main draw. Bracelets are limited to two million across five weeks and carry five trinkets, from the trophy or ball to city items. Davie Tyrie, the bank's president of marketing, said in a statement that enthusiasm had been incredible and announced new goodies for the end of the competition.

Angela, a French expat in Atlanta, went to customise one. She chose the city's peach, the trophy, a star and the number seven, and waited about an hour. She saw it as a keepsake, with stadium tickets too expensive.

The craze intensified this week on social media as users filmed their combinations and queues grew. Salma, from Dallas, tried on four mornings at opening and said the queues were ridiculous, and she would pay to skip them.

In several host cities, hundreds wait for hours daily. Many fan zones require one line to book a slot, then another to collect, while collectors show off stacks of a dozen. Some have tried bank branches, without success.

Angela may return if France-themed beads appear and says she would queue for two hours. With one million still to hand out before the 19 July final, the craze looks set to continue.

Source: L'Équipe