The 10 Biggest Culture Shocks European Fans Have Had in North America So Far

The 10 Biggest Culture Shocks European Fans Have Had in North America So Far

We are at the point where traveling fans at the World Cup have spent a good amount of time in North America. To go along with their time spent in the country they have experienced a lot of things that are vastly different to their home nations. While North America and Europe are normally considered relatively similar in cultures, there are a lot of things that would be considered culture shocks. So, what are some of them?

10. Stadium Sizes

While Europe is not shy from having large stadiums, they aren’t on the level of what you find in North America. Looking into this the average size of Premier League stadiums is just over 40,000 seats. Compeering this to the USA stadiums is massive. For example, England played their first game in a stadium that seats over 100,000 people, the next 2 matches will see 64,000 and 82,000. The smallest stadium would be the second largest stadium in the Premier League. The pure size of the stadiums in enough to shock anyone.

9. Portion Sizes

It’s been well documented that the USA and North America have considerably larger portion sizes then in Europe. However, nothing can get you ready for when you are actually handed your food or drink. One fan from Europe went onto social media saying they ordered a medium coffee. When he was given his drink, he said it was closer to a bucket then a medium coffee. The portion sizes aren’t just limited to outside the stadiums either as they don’t shy away from giving massive meals for fans to enjoy during the matches.

8. Stadium Entertainment

While fans in Europe have music in the stadiums it isn’t close to being used in the same way or as much as America use it. When you’re watching the World Cup almost anytime there is a break in the game the music will be on. It adds a little bit more to the spectacle of the World Cup this summer.

7. The Amount of Ads

Fans across Europe have been debating the water breaks as the ruin the flow of the game and make it that bit slower. While it does allow for players to take some water on while the heat is beating down on them and allows the managers to give some tactical advice. It does slow the game down. The reason for this is so that America can meet their ad run time. During those short periods fans watching in America will be shown ads instead of seeing the players drinking. The number of ads shown will be more than a culture shock for Europeans.

6. The Alcohol

It’s no secret that fans love a bit of a treat when celebrating their side. However, the USA hasn’t seen the Europeans drinking habits on this large a scale. This has left to shortages for drinks in some states. To add onto this, many fans from Europe aren’t the biggest fan of USA drinks and have voiced their dislike. This massive change in drinking culture will be a change for fans from Europe.

5. Infinite Drink Refills and the Choices

While Europe does have soda machines, they don’t do it close to what the US does. The USA often has more options for a single brand then Europe does combined. To combine with this the fact, you can keep going up and getting a new drink is something not all fans from Europe would’ve experienced. Fans have been left confused by the options and what to pick when faced with the number of options given.

Europeans discovering the joy of the FREE REFILL.
🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤 pic.twitter.com/xREufHLXUL

— Critically Thinking & Drinking 🧐 🥃🧉🍸🍹🤪 (@TheCriticalDri1) June 11, 2026

4. Shop Sizes

Europe has big shops, but the big shops here would be small compared to some in the US. A fan went into a Cosco and after seeing the size of the shop and the products all he had to say is my mind is too European for this. Definitely something fans wouldn’t have been expected to be shocked by but the difference between the America’s and Europe was unbelievable.

3. How Friendly the People Are

I’m not sure fans from Europe expected the warm welcome they got when heading to the US. It’s been amazing seeing the welcome everyone has gotten when heading to the USA. Fans joining the Scottish when they are celebrating their win. Videos of police joining in one the football culture. While people are polite in Europe a lot of people don’t often see this level of hospitality and pure social interactions. Something European fans wouldn’t have been ready for.

2. The Lack of Public Transport

Considering the sizes of the 3 country’s hosting the World Cup, their public transport isn’t as good as people would’ve expected. Especially when getting to stadiums isn’t as easy as in Europe. The lack of public transport has forced people to have to look elsewhere and get loan cars, where there is a second culture shock. That being the insane size of the cars in North America. The combination of these have genuinely blown European fans minds.

1. The Travel Time

We end this with an obvious one. Fans who are wanting to watch every game will have an experience different to anything they have seen before. While traveling across Europe for a Champions League game is one thing, having to get on a 4-hour flight or a 30-hour drive to go from England’s first game to their second game in something no European fan would’ve ever expected having to do to follow a team. This might be the single biggest culture shock for fans from Europe as they look to follow their nations.