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The World Cup is in full swing, bringing a flock of international tourists to the US, since the soccer tournament is back on American soil, the first time in 32 years.
In between matches, while they sightsee in America, foreign soccer fans are quickly learning — and are shocked by — the hospitality here.
Some are impressed by the little things, such as free baskets of chips and salsa served at Mexican restaurants. Others are making lifelong memories with locals.
Out of the 11 US host cities for the World Cup, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Atlanta have won over international crowds by embracing their celebrations and customs, awarding them the title of the friendliest cities in the country.
See, New Yorkers aren’t rude at all.
New York City
New York City locals have proven to tourists that the rude, standoffish stereotype is a made-up thing. Norwegian fans gathered in Times Square and performed their rowing chant, even going viral for rowing on the Subway for last week’s match.
Scottish fans also praised NYC for its friendliness despite its reputation in a CBS interview.
“You hear a lot of things about it abroad. The reputation is not very friendly, but everyone has been absolutely great to us,” he told the outlet.
“Honestly, it’s all been happy surprises, the police have been good with us, the transport has been really good, people have paid for meals, people have paid for drinks. American hospitality is the greatest in the world.”
Boston
The Tartan Army seized Boston as Scotland made its first World Cup appearance there since ’98. The Scots brought the party and were immediately treated like family by the locals, so much so that it sparked an official push to make Glasgow Boston’s new sister city.
On the day of the match, 50,000 Scottish fans traveled to Gillette Stadium, taking over local pubs and belting their national anthem. Boston locals welcomed bagpipe-playing fans with open arms and joined them, partying in the streets together for the soccer festivities.
Several Boston pubs reported record sales, beating major events like the Super Bowl and St. Patrick’s Day.
Philadelphia
Tourists gathered on the Rocky steps, reviewed cheesesteaks and both their kind and locals in the City of Brotherly Love.
Daniel Andrade, an Ecuadorian fan, told Fox News that he was completely “in love” with the city, while Reuters captured viral footage of Brazilian fans trying their first classic Philly cheesesteaks.
Local Philadelphia officials said they handed out around 30,000 maps to help visitors navigate the city, and more than 100,000 fans came to the FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia over the course of four days, according to Daniel J. Hilferty, Co-Chair of Philadelphia Soccer 2026.
Seattle
Lumen Field, which was ranked by The Athletic as having the top World Cup stadium, hosted the USA vs. Australia game and said fans marched through the streets together in a massive, joint rally and had a nearby watch party together in Bellevue.
Simon Hughes from The Athletic wrote he “cannot think of a stadium in the world that feels so connected to the city it belongs to.”
The atmosphere of the streets was described online as a ‘neighborhood block party.’
Bradley Howe, a pub owner in Seattle, revealed that all the Australian fans made him run out of beer, but said “It’s been incredible, this is what you live for when you open a bar.”
Atlanta
Southern hospitality has always been known to be the best, so Atlanta isn’t surprisingly on the list.
International visitors are bonding over places like Waffle House and Buccees, which give an impressionable Southern American experience and hospitality.
Soccer fans have flooded downtown Atlanta for the FIFA Fan Festival, bringing high energy, diverse cultures, and large crowds to the city.
The World Cup matches will continue to bring cultural connections with fans throughout the tournament. The final game is on July 19.
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