In the United Kingdom, anywhere they serve alcohol it's the law they give you free tap water. Which is nice.

I've never been to any bar or restaurant in the US that wouldn't do the same, although I'm not sure it's a law. However, the sporting event example strikes me as different because they may have soda and beer dispensers but not actually have a water tap at the concession stand.

There is certainly a free water fountain with tap water, but bottled water is not free.

Ok, so you can't redeem the wristband for water because water is already free?

That's way less ridiculous than the original guys phrasing made the situation seem.

No, the vendors will not give you water under any circumstance, wristband or not, paid or not. You literally have to get soda, pour it out, and find a drinking fountain if you want to refill with water. And of course, the drinking fountain has low water pressure, so you're tilting the cup and lucky to fill it up halfway.

Does it matter who it comes from? Free water is available. The anti-American snipe of "Soda [is] easier and cheaper than plain good tasting water." is wrong.