$1,000 in Tips per Shift: How Boston Bartenders Are Cashing In on World Cup

A Boston bartender says the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered an unexpected windfall for service workers, after she earned close to $1,000 in tips during a single daytime shift-far above what she would typically expect.

Kaleigh Matulonis, who has worked behind the bar for around five years, said the surge came as international fans descended on the city for tournament matches, transforming what is usually a steady day shift into a high-intensity, high-reward experience.

"I got absolutely whacked at work today," she said, describing the shift, which ran from late morning into the early evening for around 6 hours and 45 minutes. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was also a lot of fun."

‘$1,000 Is Not a Normal Day’

Matulonis said reaching that level of earnings in a single shift is highly unusual.

"Yes, I've definitely made more than usual," she told Newsweek. "$1,000 is not a normal day."

While she had anticipated increased business during the tournament, the scale of the boost still caught her off guard.

"I was a little surprised, but it was a good surprise," she said.

The spike reflects a broader trend seen in host cities, where bars, restaurants and hospitality venues often experience a sharp uptick in footfall during major sporting events.

Extended dwell times, group bookings and celebratory spending habits can all translate into higher tipping totals for staff.

Scottish Fans Drive Spending

In a week where Scotland's "tartan army" have taken over Boston, Matulonis said a significant portion of her earnings that day came from visiting Scottish supporters, who made up much of her customer base during the shift.

"At least half of my money that day was made from them," she said.

She noted that management had approved adding a gratuity to customers' bills during the busy period-something that many restaurants and bars have done over the World Cup period as fans flock from countries where tipping is not always part of the everyday culture.

However, many customers went further. "Some of them tipped very generously on top of it," she said.

The presence of traveling fan groups has become a defining feature of the tournament atmosphere in U.S. host cities, with supporters often gathering in bars and public spaces before and after matches.

Industry experts have long noted that international visitors, particularly those traveling in groups for events, are more likely to spend heavily on food and drink and to tip above local averages.

For Matulonis, the experience has even influenced her allegiances.

"They were most of my customers that day," she said. "Now I'm rooting for them-so let's go Scotland."

A Boost for Hospitality Workers

While debate has swirled around the costs and logistics of hosting the World Cup in the United States-from infrastructure to ticket pricing and travel barriers-Matulonis' experience highlights a more immediate, localized economic benefit.

For frontline hospitality staff, the influx of fans can translate directly into higher take-home pay, particularly in cities seeing consistent matchday traffic or serving as hubs for traveling supporters.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 2:00 AM.