Football supporters heading to Massachusetts for the 2026 World Cup will be unable to participate in the beloved American tradition of tailgating, following confirmation that the practice has been outlawed at Gillette Stadium.
The venue, which serves as home ground for both the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, will operate under the name Boston Stadium during the tournament for sponsorship purposes.
According to guidelines published by the Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup: "Please note that the traditional 'tailgating' (eating and drinking around parked cars) is not permitted for these events."
Possessing or consuming alcohol in public spaces is also prohibited under Massachusetts state law.
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The decision has provoked fury among supporters, with many taking to social media to express their anger at the restriction.
One frustrated fan questioned the logic of hosting matches at all, writing: "Why even host the games??? It defeats the entire purpose for tourists to truly get a full experience for the World Cup honestly."
Another complained: "Pay an arm and a leg to get there and can't have any fun."
A third supporter asked: "Why hold the World Cup in the USA if you're not going to allow us to tailgate?"
Football supporters heading to Massachusetts for the 2026 World Cup will be unable to participate in the beloved American tradition of tailgating
| GETTYOne response simply described the situation as: "Shambles."
Parking availability at the stadium will be slashed dramatically during the tournament, dropping from the standard 20,000 spaces to just 5,000.
Organisers have justified the reduction by citing the need for an expanded safety perimeter, alongside additional space requirements for hospitality events.
Those attending matches are being encouraged to travel by public transport instead, though this comes at considerable cost.
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The venue will operate under the name Boston Stadium during the tournament for sponsorship purposes
| GETTYThe MBTA is charging $80 (£60) for return train journeys between Boston's South Station and Foxboro Station.
The restrictions are not unique to Massachusetts.
MetLife Stadium, to be renamed New Jersey New York Stadium for the competition, are also prohibiting tailgating and providing no parking whatsoever.
Seven group stage fixtures will take place at the 65,878-capacity venue between 13 June and 9 July.
The World Cup features an expanded format with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four | GETTYScotland, England, Haiti, Norway, Iraq, Morocco, Ghana and France all scheduled to compete there.
The stadium will also host a last-32 knockout match.
This will then be followed by a quarter-final on July 9.
For English supporters making the transatlantic journey, the combination of restricted parking, banned pre-match gatherings and expensive transport options presents a markedly different matchday experience from what they might encounter at domestic fixtures.
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