Football fans heading to the biggest match of the 2026 World Cup could face a very different matchday experience than typically expected in the United States.
A long-standing American sporting tradition is set to be scrapped at one of the tournament’s key venues, prompting frustration among supporters.
FIFA bans tailgating at MetLife Stadium before the 2026 World Cup
Supporters attending games at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup will not be allowed to take part in tailgating, which has often been a staple of American sports culture.
The decision is largely due to the absence of parking at the venue for the tournament, meaning around 80,000 fans per match will rely entirely on public transport, including trains, buses and rideshare services.
The MetLife Stadium, which is set to host eight matches including the final, will operate without its usual parking infrastructure, and this is something rarely seen at a venue that typically accommodates large NFL crowds and pre-game gatherings.
Instead, organisers are focusing on transport solutions, including a new bus terminal and dedicated “TransitWay” lanes to move supporters efficiently to and from the stadium.
However, the move effectively ends the possibility of tailgating, where fans traditionally gather in parking lots for food, drinks and socialising before events, which has been a key part of the matchday experience in the United States.
FGG says: Another fan experience blunder from FIFA
This feels like another example of FIFA overlooking the fan experience ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
While transport planning is clearly a huge challenge for an event of this scale, removing something as ingrained as tailgating risks stripping away part of what makes attending live sport in the US unique.
Supporters understand the need for organisation and safety, especially at a World Cup final, but the lack of parking and reliance on public transport places enormous pressure on infrastructure to perform flawlessly.
If it works, it will be seen as efficient. If it doesn’t, it could quickly become one of the defining issues of the tournament.