The Tartan Army has left a Boston radio station stunned as the city reportedly ran out of beer due to the influx of Scottish supporters for the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland's Perfect Start
Scotland kicked off their group campaign with a 1-0 victory over Haiti on June 13 at Boston Stadium. The win sparked massive celebrations among fans who have remained in the city ahead of their next match against Morocco on Friday, June 19.
With supporters staying in Boston between games, the party atmosphere has continued, and local businesses are feeling the impact. A viral TikTok clip from sports radio station WEEI Sports captured the scale of the Scottish presence, with broadcasters reacting in disbelief at the transformation.
Bar Owner's Stunned Reaction
One radio host shared a quote from the chief operating officer of Hennessy's Bar in downtown Boston, who said the Tartan Army was unlike anything she had seen in decades. She quoted the bar owner: "We’ve been here for over 30 years. We’ve never seen anything like it. We tripled St Patrick’s Day over the weekend with the Scottish visitors. They brought back fun that was lost."
The demand was so intense that by Sunday night, the bar had completely sold out of beer, forcing emergency restocks ahead of the next Scotland game on Friday.
Widespread Impact
The clip highlighted similar scenes elsewhere, with Federal Wine and Spirits also reporting rapid sell-outs of popular beer brands. The hosts recalled a moment that summed up the Tartan Army: "A patron walked in and bought two bottles of water and 20 Scottish shoppers inside the store boo’d her." The station erupted in laughter, with one host simply responding: "They’re a lot of fun."
The hosts reflected on the wider impact, suggesting the city had adapted positively. One said: "It’s part of a feel-good story and this being a big party that’s going very well for the city, it is loosening us up a little bit." Another added that restrictions around nightlife, shops, and travel felt more relaxed during major events, and the overall effect had been overwhelmingly positive.
Positive Vibes from Locals
"I do think that this kind of shows that if people are given the opportunity to celebrate, it’s good for business, everybody is having a great time. It's not chaos in the streets," she said. One host summed up the mood: "Their partying hasn't inconvenienced me in one bit. The people of Scotland, the people of Boston have done an awesome job."
The broadcasters compared the Tartan Army's traveling support to Patriots fans during their earliest Super Bowl runs. One host said: "They are taking in the city, they love their team. You kind of get it as a Patriots fan because it's been 28 years since they've been in a World Cup. And it's almost like that first Super Bowl where the Patriot's fans all traveled to New Orleans."
They continued: "But they have taken over the city in a great way and it's more than Hennessy's, there are multiple bars that apparently ran out of beer this weekend, which has never happened in the city."
Scots React Online
The TikTok comment section was filled with Scots back home sharing their thoughts. One wrote: "In Scotland you can't buy alcohol from 10pm until 10am unless in a licensed venue. We aren't allowed to drink alcohol at football matches either. This is a big deal for us to be able to drink when we want." Another agreed: "Just to be clear, we’re like this all the time, this isn’t just a World Cup thing. We’ll celebrate anything."
Boston locals welcomed the Tartan Army with open arms. One American stated: "Coming from someone who lives in Boston, we want the Tartan army back every year!" Another penned: "Boston definitely won during this World Cup as a city hosting Scotland for 2 group games."
