England supporters travelling to the World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday are bracing for high costs and lengthy delays, with train fares quadrupled to $80 (£60.40) from the usual $20 (£15.10). Parking near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough has also drawn criticism, with one fan paying $180 (£135.89) for a spot.
Many fans plan to start their journeys early to avoid queues. Barnsley supporter Adam Parkinson, 32, said a Scottish fan advised arriving four hours in advance. Leigham Stone, 38, from Essex, echoed the sentiment, noting that post-match train journeys could take up to nine hours.
Matthew Maidment, 23, from south-east London, booked the $80 train service despite the cost, saying, “It is what it is.” He plans to arrive in Boston city centre by 9am and head to the stadium at noon. Others, like Joe Bernacki, 43, who grew up in London, are driving to tailgate, calling the train “an arm and a leg.”
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is running special event trains and has urged fans to buy tickets in advance. Nearly 70% of tickets for the England v Ghana service have already been sold. Alternative transport includes a $45 Uber ride or a $95 shuttle bus return fare.
Jordan Womack, 45, from Doncaster, said attending matches in the US is far more expensive than previous World Cups, with parking alone costing $180 for his family of three. “For a family of four or five it’s an expensive day out,” he added.
