“Fan-Jetting” Americans Miss The Tartan Army As U.S.-Scotland Flight Demand Jumps Over 1,000%

If asked who their favorite World Cup tourists are, many Bostonians would be quick to say the Scottish. And while The Tartan Army may have since left Boston to return home, Americans appear to be looking to return the favor by visiting Scotland in the future.

New Google Trends research from TrustedHousesitters shared with TheTravel found that searches for “Boston to Glasgow” in Massachusetts jumped one week after Scottish fans turned Boston into one of the liveliest fan hubs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. searches for “flights to Glasgow” also rose just 24 hours after Boston and Glasgow announced plans to become sister cities.

TrustedHousesitters is calling the trend “fan-jetting,” a twist on sports travel where people are inspired less by a match result and more by the culture, humor, hospitality, and atmosphere surrounding a fan base.

For Boston, the feeling appears to be mutual. Scottish fans arrived in kilts, filled pubs, marched with bagpipes, sang through the city, packed Fenway-area celebrations, and left behind enough goodwill that Americans are already planning their own trips across the pond to reunite with their “fun cousins.”

Searches For Boston-To-Glasgow Trips Jumped 1,183%

Google Trends shows just what is on American minds following a visit from their Scottish cousins. According to TrustedHousesitters, Google searches for “Boston to Glasgow” in Massachusetts increased by 1,183% in one week. U.S. searches for “flights to Glasgow” rose 258% in the 24 hours after the sister-city announcement.

Searches for “weather in Scotland in June” also rose 237% over the past month, suggesting that some Americans were not only admiring the fans online. They were checking what a real Scotland trip might look like.

The 2026 tournament has turned U.S. cities into international fan stages, with visitors bringing songs, flags, food culture, fashion, inside jokes, and national personalities into everyday American neighborhoods.

Scotland’s fans didn’t need a deep tournament run to leave an impression. They gave Boston a party, and Americans seem curious about the source — turning out the new “fan-jetting” travel trend of U.S. citizens planning their own trips to Scotland in return.

Boston And Glasgow Are Turning A World Cup Party Into A City Partnership

Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu signed a formal declaration of intent to establish a partnership with Glasgow. The city said the relationship will focus on economic, cultural, institutional, sustainability, education, innovation, and tourism ties.

Mayor Wu noted shared values and collaboration during the 2026 FIFA World Cup when announcing the partnership.

“The Scottish community has helped shape Boston for centuries, and today we’re proud to build on those longstanding ties by establishing a sister-city partnership with Glasgow,” said Mayor Wu. “Our cities share rich histories, world-class educational institutions, vibrant cultural communities, and a commitment to innovation and opportunity.”

NBC Boston reported that Wu signed the documents while wearing a pink Scotland jersey, flanked by members of the Tartan Army. The chant “No Scotland, no party” had already been making its way around Boston. At the announcement, fans adapted it to “No Wu, no party.”

The partnership grew out of packed pubs, kilts in the streets, bagpipes on Lansdowne Street, and Americans enjoying their visitors so much they referred to them as “fun cousins,” according to TrustedHousesitters.

The cultural fit isn’t random. Boston has deep Scottish and Irish ties, a strong pub culture, a sports-obsessed identity, and enough history with Britain to make the whole thing even funnier. Glasgow brings its own football culture, music, nightlife, humor, and blunt warmth.

Becoming sister cities was a natural next step.

The Tartan Army Became The World Cup’s Best Travel Ad For Scotland

Several outlets have noted that, while Scotland’s team had a rough World Cup, its fans were undoubtedly a hit.

The Guardian wrote that the Tartan Army had “captured hearts and minds” across the U.S. and called Scottish supporters “wonderful ambassadors” for their country. NBC Boston described thousands of kilted fans and a full band of bagpipes taking over Lansdowne Street after Scotland’s win over Haiti.

Throughout the matches, Scottish fans were filmed singing in bars, marching toward Fenway Park, putting traffic cones on statues, and draining beer supplies on flights and in pubs.

TrustedHousesitters said viral videos continued drawing U.S. comments such as “The best international sleepover……….ever!!!!,” “The Scots need to come back to Boston every Summer for a month-long party!” and “Mom, can Scotland stay another night? Pleeeeeeese!”

How Americans Can Actually Turn “Fan-Jetting” Into A Scotland Trip

There is one catch worth noting for Americans searching for “Boston to Glasgow”: Glasgow isn’t always the simplest nonstop target from Boston.

Travelers may find more nonstop options from Boston Logan to Edinburgh, then connect onward by train or bus to Glasgow. Edinburgh and Glasgow are close enough to combine in one trip, and the train between them is a common way to see both cities. Travelers can also connect to Glasgow through London, Dublin, Amsterdam, or other European hubs depending on airline schedules and fares.

For first-time visitors, Glasgow gives travelers a city energy that will be reminiscent of Tartan Army vibes: pubs, live music, football culture, street art, museums, and neighborhoods with a strong local identity. Edinburgh adds the castle, historic Old Town, festivals, literary history, and easier first-timer sightseeing. Beyond the cities, the Highlands, islands, coastal towns, and Borders offer the landscapes that many Americans picture when they think of Scotland.

Some Scotland travel tips from TrustedHousesitters:

• Be prepared for all weather: “Classic Scottish weather can contain all seasons in one day, so be sure to check the forecast before you go and pack layers and waterproofs.”
• Make the most of it: “Scotland is around an eight-hour flight from Boston, with an even longer journey for those traveling from the West Coast. Make the most of your trip by staying for one to two weeks. While Glasgow is a buzzing and vibrant cultural hub, Scotland contains a huge variety of beautiful landscapes and locations, from the picturesque Borders to the unspoiled, wild Highlands and Islands. If you have furry friends to think about, consider a house sitter so they can stay settled while you live out your Tartan Army dream.”
• Live like a local: “There’s more to Scotland than the tourist hotspots of the major cities. Check out hidden gems like charming smaller towns, bustling coastal spots, and take ferries to explore local island culture. Ask the locals what they recommend to discover the authentic atmosphere they brought to the World Cup.”

The World Cup has already produced plenty of travel headaches, from ticket prices to transportation issues. But The Tartan Army gave Boston something to cheer about: a fan takeover that people actually seemed sad to see end.

A few days of bagpipes, songs, kilts, pub nights, and friendly chaos can make people wonder what the home country is like. “Fan-jetting” is an emerging trend that shows Americans want to reconnect and keep the good times going.