Scotland’s Tartan Army Brings the Party to Miami
The Tartan Army has well and truly arrived in Miami, and the city is lapping it up. After charming Boston during the earlier stages of the tournament, thousands of Scotland supporters have relocated to Florida ahead of their decisive World Cup 2026 Group C clash with Brazil — and the locals couldn’t be more delighted about it.
According to The Guardian, which has been following the travelling fanbase across the United States, the Scotland supporters have already made their mark on the city. On Monday evening, a large contingent of fans attended a Florida Marlins vs Texas Rangers baseball game at LoanDepot Park, bringing the same noise and energy they’d previously delivered at Boston’s Fenway Park. This time, organisers knew it was coming — TV cameras kept a permanent eye on the Scotland fans in the stands, while locals turned up in numbers just to be part of the occasion.
The phenomenon has been dubbed “Scotsmaxxing” by some observers, and it’s catching on fast. Local politicians formally welcomed the Tartan Army to Ocean Drive for a march along Miami’s famous boardwalk. Bars are competing aggressively for Scottish custom, some going as far as putting signs in their windows reading “we’ve got beer” — a nod to the legend that Scotland fans drank Boston dry during their stay there.
The heat, however, is a different matter. “It’s hot, too hot. Very, very hot,” Clark from Dalkeith told The Guardian, adding that he could do with “a wee Arctic blast for about half an hour.” A fellow supporter, Graeme from Perth, was rather more enthusiastic about the welcome, suggesting Scotland’s global reputation as good-natured travellers has preceded them nicely.
Not everyone prefers Miami to Boston. Chris from Glasgow admitted he missed New England, saying everything felt more spread out and that the largely South American local population was “difficult to understand.” It’s a minor gripe in what has otherwise been a remarkable experience for the travelling support.
As for the football itself, Scotland need a result against Brazil to make history — progressing beyond the group stage for the very first time at a World Cup. Check the live standings to see exactly where Scotland sit heading into kick-off. Graeme’s take summed up the general mood: “My heart says 1-0 Scotland, my head says 1-1” — either of which would be enough to see them through.
Whether Scotland can pull off one of football’s great upsets remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: win or lose, Miami will remember the Tartan Army’s visit for a long time.