3 NFL Stadiums Are Banning Tailgating In 2026

Fans tailgating outside NFL stadium (Photo via Imagn Images)

3 NFL Stadiums Are Banning Tailgating In 2026

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Lou Flavius | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 9:48 PM ET

Three NFL stadiums will ban tailgating this year, but it’s nothing football fans should be worried about.

With the FIFA World Cup set to be played on American soil, despite concerns about Mexico, several NFL venues will host matches.

Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, New England’s Gillette Stadium and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field are among them. Neither of these NFL stadiums will allow tailgating, per reports.

While FIFA doesn’t have a blanket policy preventing fans from enjoying food and beverages outside of stadiums tailgate style, host cities have some say.

“FIFA does not have a formal policy that restricts tailgating (eating and drinking around parked cars in stadium areas),” a spokesperson said to FOX News Digital. “However, site-specific restrictions may be imposed in alignment with host city public safety authorities in certain venues based on local regulations. Additional fan information for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be communicated in advance of the tournament.”

One Of 3 Reported NFL Stadiums Confirms Tailgating Report

Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium (Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)

Gillette Stadium has since confirmed that “traditional tailgating” won’t be allowed during World Cup games.

Meanwhile, World Cup preparations for 2026 haven’t been the best. Following news that Donald Trump could be banned from attending the tournament, FIFA has also been accused of switching seating arrangements on fans.

The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell reported as much last week.

ESPN’s Kevin Clark went on a mini rant via X.

“This story is unbelievable. FIFA changed the ticket maps to make everyone’s seats worse months after tickets were purchased with no recourse. I’ve seen some sports scams in my day but no one is doing it like FIFA. Generational. I’ll probably just check it out on TV,” Clark wrote in response to the report.

That’s not all, either.

Reports from earlier this week also indicate that NJ Transit ticket prices will go up from $12.90 to over $100 during the tournament.

“Current NJ Transit plans for return train from NY Penn Station to MetLife Stadium during World Cup are for tickets to be priced at over $100. Usual price is $12.90, making it more than a 7-fold increase for World Cup fans,” The Athletic’s Adam Crafton reported on Tuesday.

The signs aren’t good…

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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