England and Scotland supporters will be barred from 'tailgating' ahead of their World Cup matches at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, following a strict FIFA policy. The ban prohibits fans from eating and drinking around parked cars to build atmosphere before kick-off.
Scotland's fixtures against Haiti on June 14 and Morocco on June 19, along with England's match against Ghana on June 23, are among those affected. In total, seven matches will be staged at the home of the New England Patriots, rebranded as Boston Stadium for the tournament.
The rules are clearly set out in the local conduct section of the official Boston Stadium World Cup website, which states: 'No Tailgating per FIFA policy: Please note that the traditional 'tailgating' (eating and drinking around parked cars) is not permitted for these events per FIFA policy.'
While tailgating is deeply ingrained in US sports culture, it has never truly caught on in the UK, where fans prefer official fan zones or local pubs. Supporters will have access to exclusive areas with restaurants, bars and shops at Patriot Place near the stadium.
Fans have also been cautioned that drinking or possessing an open container of alcohol in public spaces is against the law in Massachusetts. Gates will open three hours before kick-off, and supporters are urged to arrive 90 minutes early to allow for security searches.
