Restaurant owners in US cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are introducing mandatory tips to bills, anticipating that international visitors may not adhere to America's tipping culture. The tournament is expected to be the most expensive in history, with fans already facing high costs for flights, hotels, and tickets.
Tipping is integral to US restaurant workers' compensation, as many earn below minimum wage and rely on tips. To protect staff during the influx of millions of visitors, some establishments plan to include gratuity in the meal cost. In Atlanta, T's Brunch Bar will raise its automatic gratuity from 18% to 20%.
Owner Teneshia Murray Butler explained that international visitors often don't tip due to cultural differences. In Boston, businesses have proposed a mandatory 20% tip, with notices on menus. Steve DiFillippo of Davio's emphasized the importance of servers and bartenders, while George Pantos of Jimmy's Pub prefers signage over mandatory charges, trusting customers to tip voluntarily.
In Kansas City, the Missouri Restaurant Association advises adding mandatory tips during the six-week tournament. Executive director Mike Burris noted that servers would be unhappy serving for 90 minutes without a tip. However, David Henkes of Technomic warned that mandatory tips could upset local customers already strained by rising costs, potentially causing backlash if not clearly communicated.
