World Cup
Priced out of Boston, Tartan Army supporters organized buses from Rhode Island — cutting travel costs in half.
Gregor Cowan (center, yellow sunglasses), is an organizer with the Tartan Army, which is sending 1,100 Scotland soccer fans to Gillette Stadium on yellow school buses for the 2026 World Cup. (Photo courtesy of Gregor Cowan)
May 6, 2026 | 11:18 AM
3 minutes to read
A wave of Scotland supporters is set to roll into Foxborough this summer — not by car or commuter rail, but rather, aboard a fleet of bright yellow school buses.
The unusual travel plan, organized by members of the Tartan Army — Scotland’s national soccer team fanbase — emerged from a simple problem: getting to World Cup matches without breaking the bank.
For thousands of Scottish fans, Boston was simply too expensive to stay in. So, they turned to Providence, Rhode Island, where the cost of accommodation was more feasible.
“Airbnb there was a lot cheaper, but we were getting price wise in Boston as well, so we booked that,” Tartan Army member Gregor Cowan said. “And lo and behold, it turns out there have been thousands of Scotland fans who had also booked to stay in Providence.”
As more supporters booked their Providence stays, Cowan, 40, launched a WhatsApp group (“the Providence Tartan Army”), to keep everyone connected. Soon, it ballooned into a central hub for organizing travel, events, and logistics. The group had around 1,000 members as of last week, he said.
That same group would ultimately spark the unique transportation idea.
With match days falling on dates when school buses were available, organizers began making calls. Soon, what started as a throwaway suggestion became a full-scale operation: more than 20 buses booked, with room for 1,100 fans.
“Yellow school buses is what it’s all about,” Cowan said.
The appeal is largely financial. While official shuttle buses to the stadium run $95 per person, the fan-organized buses cost roughly $47 per seat.
“It’s literally double what we’re paying,” Cowan said of the alternatives. “No extortion from the Tartan Army,” he quipped.
The buses may lack the comforts of modern coaches — seating is tight, and amenities are minimal — but for many supporters, that’s part of the charm.
“Size-wise, I don’t know what they’re like inside,” Cowan said with a laugh. “Maybe a few Scots struggling to keep their knees out of somebody else. But it’ll be absolutely fine — we’ve plenty of beer. I don’t think we’ll even realize that we’re on these school buses.”
The journey itself is expected to be as memorable as the matches. Fans plan to depart hours before kickoff, giving themselves time to tailgate and soak in the pregame atmosphere.
Behind the scenes, Tartan Army organizers have also worked to keep additional costs down. Parking, often a major expense during large events, was negotiated at a reduced rate through local connections in Foxborough.
“It’s been a great team effort,” Cowan said. “Everybody’s just mucked in.”
Gregor Cowan (bottom right corner) and members of the Tartan Army. (Photo courtesy of Gregor Cowan)
The sense of collaboration extends beyond transportation.
Between matches, fans are planning trips to New York, river boat cruises, and nights out across Providence and Boston. A march through Providence on June 18 — complete with traditional Scottish music and dress — is also in the works, led by the Rhode Island Highlanders pipe band and expected to draw thousands.
There are also plans to give back to the community hosting them. Organizers are raising funds for Hasbro Children’s Hospital, with hopes of donating several thousand dollars during their stay.
“We’ll leave a great legacy up there,” Cowan said. “Rhode Island will be pleased that we’ve done what we’ve done.”
Still, the rapid influx of visitors hasn’t been without complications. Some fans have faced canceled reservations and rising accommodation costs as demand surged.
“A lot of people… ended up having their bookings canceled,” Cowan said. “Then they were having to rebook, and the prices doubled.”
Scotland’s Andrew Robertson, front left, and Lawrence Shankland front right, and teammates celebrate qualifying after defeating Denmark in a 2026 World Cup European Qualifying soccer match in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Still, enthusiasm remains high. For many, this World Cup represents a long-awaited return. Scotland’s last World Cup appearance came in 1998, when Cowan was just 12 years old.
“I can remember watching it at school,” he said. “Since then, I’ve just loved it.”
Now, nearly three decades later, that passion is carrying thousands of fans across the Atlantic — and onto a caravan of yellow school buses bound for Foxborough.
“When everybody’s singing, there’s no better place to be,” he said. “It just sends shivers down your spine.”
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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