For years, it's been part of the experience. Fans grilling. Music playing. Coolers open. The parking lot buzzing hours before kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
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That won't be happening this summer.
When the stadium transforms into "Boston Stadium" for the FIFA World Cup, one major tradition is being left behind.
No tailgating.
Organizers have made it clear that gathering around cars with food and drinks won't be allowed for World Cup matches, per CBS. It's a noticeable shift for fans used to making a full day out of game day.
Parking itself will be limited. The usual 20,000 spots available for New England Patriots games will drop to around 5,000 for the tournament.
The reasoning comes down to logistics and security.
World Cup events require a much larger safety perimeter, along with space for hospitality setups and international operations. That leaves far less room for cars, and even less for pregame gatherings.
Instead, fans are being encouraged to take public transportation, with trains running from Boston to Foxborough expected to carry tens of thousands of people for each match.
And it's not just Boston. Other host sites, including MetLife Stadium, are also implementing strict no-tailgating policies, showing this is part of a broader World Cup approach.
Boston Stadium is set to host seven matches between mid-June and early July.
The games will still be there. The atmosphere will still be there. It'll just look a little different before kickoff.
