World Cup tourists obsessed with cult US chain as it becomes unlikely viral hit
Thousands of football fans have flocked to the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer - not only to watch their team (hopefully) triumph in the FIFA Men’s World Cup, but to immerse themselves in alternative culture.
Amid wild-west drink prices and reports that fans have been tucking into bizarre meals pitchside, the World Cup has spurned some other strange habits, including sports fans becoming obsessed with Ranch dressing.
The compulsion to guzzle the creamy condiment has gone so far that TSA agents have had to step in with advice on how much of the sauce can be physically carried through customs.
But its not the only thing that they’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with, apparently.
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According to a humorous NBC News segment, those who’ve been watching Texas-based games at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington and the Houston Stadium have become die-hard fans of cult convenience store, Buc-ee’s.
Football fans apparently love Buc-ee’s
“I love Buc-ee’s. So cute,” said one tourist in the clip, which was uploaded to YouTube.
Japanese fans have particularly grown fond of Buc-ee’s, a travel centre chain known for its immaculate bathrooms, themed merchandise, and mouthwatering treats, including kolaches, brisket sandwiches, and fresh beef jerky.
When asked what he’d picked up from the Southern staple, one man admitted he’d splurged on ‘tons of souvenirs’.
“Yeah, we maybe spent too much I think,” he laughed outside of the store in Fort Worth.
Someone else shared that they had a full plastic bag of goodies, including some of the brand’s signature cookies.
The TSA has also got involved with the Buc-ee’s hype, informing flyers that the brand’s Beaver Nuggets - brown sugar-flavored corn puff snacks -are approved for carry-on.
“Soccer fans visiting a very large gas station for the first time… carry-on BBQ sandwiches & beaver nuggets? Yes. An actual beaver? ABSOLUTELY NOT!” the TSA wrote.
“Nuggets and brisket sandwiches to bring the world together. And just so you know we aren't the dam keeping any of these items out of your carry-on.”
Meanwhile, England football fan and TikToker @lanktheyank shared a now-viral video of him and his father dropping in at a Buc-ee's on their way to the Dallas Stadium, remarking how 'crazy' it was to see so many petrol pumps.
After picking up some 'Beaver Tots' - crispy potato bites coated in a seasoned corn flour crust - the pair sampled a breakfast sandwich in the car.
"It's lovely," the TikToker's dad said. "Even birds want some of it," he added, pointing to a bird that had landed on his wing mirror.
CBS Evening News documented Drew Haas, of South Central Texas, taking two couples to the gas station chain.
The tourists, who were visiting from Poland and France, said that the experience was like ‘stepping into a movie’, as per the New York Post.
One of the women claimed they were ‘sceptical’ of spending time in Texas at first before taking part in an off-road ride in a pick-up truck and learning about cowboy culture.
“I was a bit skeptical at first, but then I just feel like, yes, I can do this all day,” she told CBS.
Major US Buc-ee’s expansion details
In May, the Southern brand announced plans to expand into six new states.
The reveal including its new store in Ohio, Huber Heights, and Goodyear, Arizona, which opened on 6 April and 22 June, respectively.
Come 17 August, residents of Benton, Arkansas, will also be able to get their fix at a dedicated new site, according to Bill Eldridge, Chairman of the City of Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Another convenience store, this time in San Marcos, Texas, is reportedly due to open on 12 August, as per Buc-ee's Media Manager Crissy Gonzales.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will also gain a Buc-ee’s on 16 November.
In 2027, the 1982-founded company will add locations in Ruston, Louisiana, Gallaway, Tennessee, Kansas City, Kansas, St. Lucie, Florida, Boerne, Texas, and Monroe County, Georgia, as per US Today.
Beyond that, sites are set to pop up in:
- Mebane, North Carolina (2028)
- Lafayette, Louisiana (2028)
- Ocala, Florida (2029)
- West Memphis, Arkansas (2029)
- Oak Grove, Kentucky (2029)
- Hardeeville, South Carolina (2031)
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Tuesday, 30 June
Round of 32 - Match 75: Group F winners vs Group C runners-up, kick-off 2am - Guadalupe, Mexico
Round of 32 - Match 78: Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up, kick-off 6pm - Arlington, US
Round of 32 - Match 77: Group I winners vs Group C/D/F/G/H third place, kick-off 10pm - New Jersey, US
Wednesday, 1 July
Round of 32 - Match 79: Group A winners vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place, kick-off 2am - Mexico City, Mexico
Round of 32 - Match 80: Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, US
Round of 32 - Match 82: Group G winners vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place, kick-off 9pm - Seattle, US
Thursday, 2 July
Round of 32 - Match 81: Group D winners vs Group B/E/F/I/J third place, kick-off 1am - Santa Clara, US
Round of 32 - Match 84: Group H winners vs Group J runners-up, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Friday, 3 July
Round of 32 - Match 83: Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up, kick-off 12am - Toronto, Canada
Round of 32 - Match 85: Group B winners vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place, kick-off 4am - Vancouver, Canada
Round of 32 - Match 88: Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up, kick-off 7pm - Arlington, US
Round of 32 - Match 86: Group J winners vs Group H runners-up, kick-off 11pm - Miami, US
Saturday, 4 July
Round of 32 - Match 87: Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place, kick-off 2.30am - Kansas City, US
Round of 16 - Match 90: Match 73 winners vs Match 75 winners, kick-off 6pm - Houston, US
Round of 16 - Match 89: Match 74 winners vs Match 77 winners, kick-off 10pm - Philadelphia, US
Sunday, 5 July
Round of 16 - Match 91: Match 76 winners vs Match 78 winners, kick-off 9pm - New Jersey, US
Monday, 6 July
Round of 16 - Match 92: Match 79 winners vs Match 80 winners, kick-off 1am - Mexico City, Mexico
Round of 16 - Match 93: Match 83 winners vs Match 84 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Tuesday, 7 July
Round of 16 - Match 94: Match 81 winners vs Match 82 winners, kick-off 1am - Seattle, US
Round of 16 - Match 95: Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, US
Round of 16 - Match 96: Match 85 winners vs Match 87 winners, kick-off 9pm - Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 9 July
Quarter-final - Match 97: Match 89 winners vs Match 90 winners, kick-off 9pm - Foxborough, US
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Match 91 winners vs Match 92 winners, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Topics: US Food, News, Social Media
Ella Scott