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In just over two months, soccer fans will descend on stadiums across North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But those thousands of fans won’t be able to take part in a long-standing pregame tradition, at least at venues located in the U.S.
FIFA is set to ban pre-match tailgating in U.S. stadiums during the tournament, according to multiple reports Tuesday. NFL venues such as Arrowhead Stadium, Gillette Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field, among others, were listed as host sites where fans will not be able to approach this summer.
It was not immediately clear what led to the decision or why it was introduced.
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A general view shows the empty parking lot at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 14, 2020, as no fans were allowed at the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
The governing body and tournament organizer may aim to avoid crowd control issues similar to those that arose when the Copa América was held in Miami. Large gatherings outside the stadium entrance gates created logistical obstacles.
Tailgating has long been synonymous with American sports culture, giving fans an affordable way to enjoy the game day atmosphere.
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But with that option gone, fans may find a very different pregame scene this summer. While FIFA will oversee the venues during the tournament, the atmosphere outside them could ultimately prove more difficult to manage.
Real Madrid fans gather outside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final match against Paris Saint-Germain on July 9, 2025. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The move to ban vehicle tracking comes as several host cities adjust their transportation plans to ease the flow of traffic around World Cup venues. Fans attending games at MetLife Stadium in the New York area will not be able to park in the stadium’s regular parking lots.
Real Madrid fans in a parking lot outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group H match against FC Red Bull Salzburg on June 26, 2025. (Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images)
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Public transportation is expected to be the main alternative, although travelers may face higher fees to cross state lines. New Jersey Transit could charge more than $100 for round-trip service to MetLife Stadium during games, The Athletic reported.
On a typical day, the 18-mile trip costs less than $13.
