All hope is not lost for World Cup fans hoping to do some parking lot partying before cheering on their favorite teams.
Following multiple reports this week that FIFA had issued a ban on parking lot partying at US stadiums hosting the prestigious tournament this summer, the soccer organization issued a statement denying the claims.
Sports fans in America have built a tradition of eating and drinking in parking lots prior to events. Getty Images “FIFA does not have a formal policy that restricts tailgating (eating and drinking around parked cars in stadium areas),” FIFA Media wrote on X on Wednesday.
The org. did, however, note that certain venues might have their own policies in place that could ultimately block the popular sporting tradition.
“Site-specific restrictions may be imposed in alignment with host city public safety authorities in certain venues based on local regulations,” FIFA Media added. “Additional fan information for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be communicated in advance of the tournament.”
FIFA Media said on Wednesday there is not an organization mandate banning tailgating at the 2026 World Cup. Getty Images Reports of the alleged FIFA ban appeared to stem from Boston’s World Cup website, bostonfwc26. On the page, under “Match Day Check List,” officials wrote “traditional ‘tailgating’ (eating and drinking around parked cars) is not permitted for these events.”
They went on to write, “In Massachusetts, it is illegal to possess or drink from open containers of alcohol in public spaces.”
FIFA, though, is making it clear any tailgating rules — at least for now — will be determined by host cities, not a World Cup-wide mandate.
