I just assumed to follow the rules. Especially, because I can see myself needing a Russian visa in the future and do not want to have any red flags in my file.

I just assumed to follow the rules. Especially, because I can see myself needing a Russian visa in the future and do not want to have any red flags in my file. So it's my understanding that the registration goes into your computer file. Before the World Cup registration was required if you stayed more than 5 days in a given city. During the World Cup it was reduced to 3 days [0]. I did meet an Australian group who did not have the time to register and I'm guessing there were probably a lot of visitors like them. It's possible (speculation at my part) the border controllers were instructed to go easy on people from Western Countries. Perhaps given the large bureaucratic process of registration, it's possible the orders were to be flexible. It's also possible that when they scanned the visitor's fanID when entering a stadium (again speculation) that it became a form of registration, and these people were flagged as real football fans and not some threat. It's clear this world cup was used to boost tourism (seeing how the FanID visa free visit is extended till the end of the year [1]) and the last thing the country wants is some Kafkaesque experience by some western blogger. So there is probably flexibly built into this rule. I just wouldn't take the chance. That being said, I just assume to follow the rules. Particularly, if you think one day you may want to visit Russia again. [0] https://www.accountor.ru/en/fifa-registration-rules-for-foreigners-in-russia https://www.accountor.ru/en/fifa-registration-rules-for-fore... [1] https://www.dw.com/en/russia-to-let-world-cup-fans-come-back-with-fan-id-no-visa/a-44717246 https://www.dw.com/en/russia-to-let-world-cup-fans-come-back...