Supporters of Scotland’s football team outperformed their English counterparts in a spirited off-field contest during the recent World Cup matches held in Boston. While no official trophies were at stake, the rivalry between the two fanbases played out vividly away from the pitch, according to the general manager of a major local bar.

Billy DeCain, who manages the Samuel Adams taproom in downtown Boston, assessed the fans across seven criteria: drinking ability, outfits, humor, stamina, singing, behavior, and noise level. Scotland’s supporters, often referred to as the Tartan Army, came close to sweeping the categories, with England winning only one. However, some caveats apply—Scotland’s fans had twice as many games in the city and had been present for nearly two weeks before England fans arrived.

The gathering was notable due to consecutive international fixtures featuring England and Scotland, an uncommon occurrence that allowed both groups to establish a strong presence in the same World Cup host city. Unlike on-field competition emphasizing football skills, this informal contest was more about revelry and atmosphere. Kilts, sporrans, and a variety of football shirts replaced the usual glitter and costumes seen in televised dance or music contests, while the soundtrack pitted England’s unofficial anthem “Wonderwall” against Scotland’s “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.”

The Samuel Adams taproom, a three-level venue with a capacity of 400, became a central hub for both fanbases. The bar offers a range of 20 craft beers brewed locally by the Boston Beer Company. Since the arrival of the Tartan Army two Thursdays before the England supporters, the establishment has operated at full capacity, drawing long queues outside that often took an hour to enter.

DeCain, who has managed the taproom since its opening more than six years ago and previously oversaw the iconic Cheers bar in Boston for over two decades, described the drinking intensity as historic. “It would be hard to match that level of drinking ever again,” he said. Staff members were reportedly exhausted by the sustained crowds, with beer supplies running out over the opening weekend. During a nine-day period, the venue went through approximately 100 kegs of its best-selling Boston lager alone, equating to 8,000 pints.

With traditional scoring methods unavailable, the assessment employed sparkling numbered birthday candles as playful substitutes to rate each fan group, reflecting the lighthearted, festive nature of the competition.

While the rivalry on the pitch continues to captivate football fans worldwide, the Boston experience showcased the enduring cultural and social rivalry between Scotland and England, extending beyond the sport itself.