During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thousands of Scotland supporters—dubbed the “Tartan Army”—are overwhelming Boston’s pubs and beer supplies as they celebrate the team’s matches. Multiple outlets report that hospitality venues across the city struggle to meet demand after large crowds arrive for Scotland’s group-stage fixtures. In the first weekend of the “occupation,” some bar staff say they have been forced into emergency measures, including scrambling for additional beer after supplies were nearly depleted. One report describes staff reacting quickly after Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti on Saturday, noting that bar operations had to adjust as patrons consumed large quantities. The coverage also notes that the Tartan Army’s arrival is expected to trigger a second wave of drinking, with bars preparing for continued high turnout. While some accounts use exaggerated language about locals being “under the table” or “drinking the city dry,” they converge on the same core point: the scale and pace of Scotland fans’ partying creates a strain on local beer availability and makes pub staffing and resupply difficult. Several outlets also mention that the fans’ numbers are around 20,000.