Football supporters travelling to this summer’s World Cup face the prospect of being saddled with significant debt, as soaring transport costs compound already inflated ticket prices.
England and Scotland fans, who have already expressed dismay over the tournament’s dynamic pricing model for match tickets in the United States, are now reeling from confirmation that a return train journey to the Boston stadium, where both nations are scheduled to play group games, will cost $80 (£60).
This figure stands in stark contrast to the standard fare of $20 (£15) for the same route from Boston South Station to Foxboro Station, the closest stop to the stadium, located approximately 22 miles from downtown Boston, according to local media reports. Car parking at the venue is also prohibitive, starting at $175 (£132).
Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, voiced serious concerns, telling the Press Association: “There will be a lot of second mortgages and costs being put on credit cards. You can laugh about it, but there is a worry that some people are actually going to overextend themselves.”
He added: “It’s another huge disappointment. It’s a kick in the goolies to ordinary fans and another reminder that the further up the tree that you go, the game is getting further and further away from its origins and the people who will turn up on a wet Tuesday night in Forfar. Our stance on it is it’s totally out of order.”
Scotland, making their first appearance at the tournament since 1998, will open their Group C campaign against Haiti in Boston on June 14, returning five days later to face Morocco. England are set to meet Group L rivals Ghana at the same venue on June 23.
Around 20,000 Scottish supporters, many without match tickets, are expected to cross the Atlantic, with Category 1 seats for the final reportedly offered for almost $11,000 (£8,335) last week.
Mr Goodwin lamented: “There will still be a huge amount of Scots there, but while they’re there, it just feels as if they’re going to be fleeced, which is a horrible situation to be in.”
The Football Supporters’ Association has also criticised the travel expenses for England’s game in Boston. A statement on their Free Lions X account read: “At what is normally a $20, we are incredibly disappointed that this has been allowed to happen.
“For a stadium so far away from its advertised location, all organisers had a duty to ensure supporters could get there sustainably and for a fair price. Unfortunately, like much with this tournament, supporters are gouged.”
However, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which noted that tickets cover the entire Commuter Rail network on match days, defended its pricing.
An MBTA statement asserted: “We are confident that the Commuter Rail will be one of the easiest, most affordable ways to get to and from Boston Stadium. The MBTA plans to run an unprecedented amount of service for the World Cup, mobilizing up to 20,000 riders to and from each of the seven matches.”
Anecdotally, Mr Goodwin is aware of Scottish fans exploring the possibility of hiring school buses as an alternative. He quipped: “Before you know it, there’ll be a procession of 40 yellow buses with tartan all over them.”
