World Cup fans have brought their trademark chants and energy to Major League Baseball games across the United States, creating a compelling collision of sports cultures. From Scotland's Tartan Army marching at Fenway Park to England supporters serenading Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris, the influx of international visitors has given a notable boost to America's national pastime.
England Fans Adopt a New Hero in Atlanta
Last week, England supporters attending the World Cup in Atlanta were offered discounted tickets to the Braves' home game against the St Louis Cardinals. They filled a section of the center-field bleachers, hung their flags, and brought the sounds of Wembley to Truist Park. The player closest to them, center-fielder Michael Harris, quickly became their focus. Despite his performance in a 5-1 win—one hit, one RBI, four putouts—not matching the heroics of Harry Kane earlier that day, the fans sang with spirited verve: “Walking in a Harris wonderland!” and “Baseball’s coming home – with Michael Harris!”
Harris, a 25-year-old local product enjoying a career-best season, was charmed by the interaction. After the game, he posted a video captioned “England Lit!” and appeared at the ballpark the next day wearing an England jersey, saying he watched the Three Lions' win over Mexico “biting his nails at the end.” Should England beat Norway and return to Atlanta for a semi-final, a reunion could be in store.
Attendance Boost Across Host Cities
More than 5 million fans attended home games of the 14 MLB teams in 12 World Cup host cities (including Toronto) from 11 June to 5 July. The average attendance across those markets was 35,326, higher than in the same stretch of three of the past four seasons. While the influx of World Cup visitors may not be the sole factor, the calendar crossover has created a unique atmosphere.
“We export the game. We play games in other parts of the world. And now the world is coming to us,” said Adam Zimmerman, senior vice-president of marketing and content for the Braves. “And what is a more American experience than going to a baseball game?”
Scotland’s Tartan Army Takes Fenway Park
The Boston Red Sox were the first to host a World Cup-themed night, with a Scottish Heritage Celebration on 14 June against the Texas Rangers. More than 5,000 members of the Tartan Army joined a crowd of 32,006 at Fenway Park. Many fans were new to baseball, with one asking a local TV reporter, “How many innings is it?” and laughing upon hearing the answer of nine. The concession offerings excited another: “We’ve been here four days and I’ve not had a hot dog yet. I’m gagging for it.”
The Tartan Army led a bagpipers’ march down Lansdowne Street, filled the stands with Scotland tops and kilts, and chanted “We’ve got McGinn, Super John McGinn.” They sang Flower of Scotland after the national anthem and roared when the organist played Loch Lomond and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). The Red Sox team president wrote a letter thanking Scotland for “genuinely one of the most moving things we have witnessed at Fenway Park in a long time.”
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, whose team started playing “No Scotland, No Party” in their clubhouse after two wins with the Tartan Army in attendance, said, “My bucket list is to be at a European game one day with my kids, and that was probably as close to it as you can get as far as the atmosphere. That was pretty special.”
Other Host Cities Embrace the Crossover
The Miami Marlins hosted Scotland fans eight days later, drawing their biggest Monday crowd in nine years: 20,008, with an estimated 8,000 Scottish supporters. In Texas, the Rangers hosted Australia fans at Globe Life Field, where one Socceroos fan earned headlines for a barehanded catch of a foul ball.
Norway fans brought their trademark row celebration to the first game of a New York Mets doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. One supporter, Daniel from outside Oslo, told MLB.com, “I’ve never been to a baseball game before, and I think this is part of the American experience, to be at a baseball game. So this is the United States for me.” The Norwegian support, however, didn't help the last-place Mets, who lost both games amid a seven-game losing streak.
Spontaneous Moments and Lasting Impact
The Braves' England night came together quickly after the knockout draw was released. Team staff worked with the British consulate and the Football Supporters’ Association to arrange discounted tickets and free bus services. A special allowance let fans bring flags inside the ballpark, where brick walls were dotted with emblems of Leeds, London, Birmingham, and Brentford. The team hired a cover band called Broasis, decorated a red double-decker bus, and made “England is Braves Country” T-shirts that “flew like hotcakes,” Zimmerman said.
The most memorable moment was the spontaneous interaction with Harris. After the game, fans tossed hats and jerseys to be signed and serenaded him with chants of “There’s only one Michael Harris!” (There are at least three: his father and son share the same name.)
“For our players to experience fandom from a different country and a different perspective was remarkable,” Zimmerman said. “And then the trick for us is, OK, you don’t want to take that and overly engineer it and then take out what was beautiful about it, which was the spontaneity. I think my biggest takeaway was to provide the ingredients and see what people make.”
Baseball Stars and Coaches Join the Fun
Ceremonial first pitches have featured soccer stars: England manager Thomas Tuchel threw a looping fastball in Kansas City, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí delivered a strike in San Diego, and USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino threw out the first pitch at T-Mobile Park in Seattle before the USA’s last-16 game. Pochettino practiced earlier with goalkeeper Matt Turner, a former high school baseball player, and performed admirably.
Players and coaches have used off-days to attend World Cup games. Stars Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, and Salvador Perez appeared at matches in their local markets. The Mariners saw their highest home crowds this season coincide with the USA v Australia group-stage game, and their USMNT-themed game on 3 July drew 45,391, their fifth-largest attendance this year.
Harris may best epitomize the love affair. After correctly predicting a 3-2 England win over Mexico, he posted, “England, I’m forever with you!”
