Hundreds of England supporters in the US purchased over 5,000 beers at a Texas pub in anticipation of the Three Lions’ World Cup opener against Croatia. The fans, donning costumes and waving St George’s flags, flocked to the Londoner Pub in Dallas, where an extended closing time was advertised.
Despite the buzz, bar staff and two police officers instructed fans to disperse before 10pm due to the venue reaching its maximum capacity and limited security personnel. Although the pub was eventually cleared, many enthusiasts lingered on the balcony for a while longer.
The Londoner saw 2,352 beer bottles sold that night, with a total consumption exceeding 5,000 beers, resulting in profits exceeding £30,000. As the supporters continued their revelry, a convoy of Dallas Police Department vehicles lined the street outside for approximately 20 minutes as the English fans boisterously chanted. Eventually, the police vehicles moved to a different location out of sight.
The fans engaged in activities such as playing football on the street and balcony for about an hour, occasionally causing the ball to land on nearby cars. A few individuals were spotted dropping plants from the balcony. At the conclusion of the event, many fans stayed behind to assist the bar staff in cleaning up the aftermath.
The gathering commenced with a sea of St George’s flags, elaborate costumes, and spirited chants under the scorching Dallas sun. Event organizer John Gallivan, 39, from Bristol, commented on the challenges of organizing such a large event in the vast expanse of Texas compared to previous tournaments in Europe.
Mr. Gallivan expressed disappointment at the high costs preventing many loyal England supporters from attending the tournament due to Fifa’s pricing decisions. The event unexpectedly grew beyond his initial expectations after gaining traction on social media.
Tonight, Thomas Tuchel’s squad kicks off their campaign at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas against Croatia, carrying the hopes of the nation on their shoulders.