England Fans Take Over New York Ahead of World Cup Match
Recently, Scottish fans made a big splash in Boston. Now, it’s the turn of England supporters, who have invaded New York to reclaim some pride.
After watching their rivals dominate Boston, fans of the Three Lions have gathered in Manhattan, gearing up for Saturday’s Group L World Cup match against Panama at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Their goal? To show they can be even bigger, louder, and more persistent.
These British fans are seemingly taking over the city, one pub at a time.
By Friday afternoon, England jerseys, flags, and other colorful attire were visible across all five boroughs. Long lines of fans were spotted outside popular spots like Williamsburg’s Bunter Bar, Midtown’s Legends, Carragher’s, and others.
Everywhere you looked, there were retro shirts, bucket hats, knight costumes, and painted faces. One group even sported a flag declaring, “Donald Trump’s Blue and White Army.”
“I’ve seen fans come from all corners for this tournament, but this atmosphere is unmatched,” remarked Reif, a 41-year-old bartender in Midtown. “They were singing before many were even served. They’ve been loud all month, but this crowd is something else entirely.”
Jack Stocker, a 23-year-old from Bristol, humorously noted, “I heard the Scots drink Boston Dry. Fair enough, but we all know they’re lightweights in kilts. This is New York. We mean business.”
There was a sort of playful historical energy surrounding the fans, as they joked about reclaiming territory once ruled by Britain.
“They booted us out once, and now they’re back for what’s theirs,” said Guy Cave, 31, from Bradford, draped in a red and white cloak outside Carragher’s. “We’ve been quite patient with that.”
The weather seemed to tag along with them, as gray skies enveloped New York, lending a British ambiance. However, the humidity served as a swift reminder that they were not at home.
While hundreds of Panama fans filled Times Square, adding a lively touch to the tourist hotspot, many England supporters preferred to stay inside, enjoying cold drinks and air conditioning in the warm streets.
A familiar chant echoed within the bars. In between rounds, someone called out, “I’m going home,” followed by the collective plea, “Please don’t take me home. I just don’t want to go to work. I want to stay here and drink beers.”
Interestingly, many Americans were also sporting England jerseys, often motivated by loyalty to Premier League teams rather than family connections.
“I’m from Brooklyn but an Arsenal fan, so cheering for England feels natural,” said Will Pembroke, 27, rocking a Bukayo Saka shirt outside Legends. “Some of American soccer culture feels a bit forced. But England? They have a good sense of humor about it all.”
At Jones Wood Foundry on the Upper East Side, the atmosphere was more relaxed yet charged with excitement. Meanwhile, Corner Bistro in the West Village had a more refined ambiance, particularly since Burberry took it over for English matches this tournament. Over at Tea & Sympathy, some fans traded pints for tea and scones, enjoying a quiet slice of home.
Beyond soccer, some were looking to spend the weekend at Citi Field or Madison Square Garden to play darts, bringing a touch of British sports culture to Manhattan.
Despite all the festivities, much of the energy seemed focused on the bars, with England supporters rallying not just for their team against Panama, but also in friendly rivalry with Scotland.
New York may not be returning to King Charles anytime soon, but regardless of how England performs in Group L on Saturday, the passion for football remains strong.
