The World Cup 2026 is delivering stories that go far beyond 90 minutes of football. As England prepare for their own tilt at glory in this historic 48-team tournament, four Scotland supporters have pulled off one of the most unlikely fan stories the competition has produced — turning a $40 raffle ticket into £8,000 at one of America’s most iconic sporting venues, and becoming what the Boston Red Sox believe to be the first UK citizens ever to win their famous 50/50 lottery.
A weekend to remember in Boston
The night after Scotland defeated Haiti in their World Cup 2026 opener, four supporters made their way to the legendary Fenway Park for a Scotland Celebration Night hosted by the Boston Red Sox. The group — two father-and-son duos, Peter and Paul Innes, and John and Ross Henderson, all from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian — had already banked the high of watching their nation win on football’s biggest stage for the first time in a generation.
Boston has become one of the great gathering points for British fans at this World Cup, with supporters from all four home nations descending on the city’s famous bars and sporting venues. The Red Sox, never ones to miss a moment, rolled out the welcome mat for the Scotland travelling support with a dedicated celebration event inside Fenway Park.
A $40 ticket. An £8,000 prize.
As the Red Sox took on the Texas Rangers on the famous Fenway turf, the four friends pooled together and bought a single $40 ticket for the club’s 50/50 raffle — where half the total prize pot goes to one lucky winner drawn at random. They gave it little thought at the time. Then came the moment.
After ‘checking the number 250 times’, the reality sank in: they had won £8,000. The Boston Red Sox believe the quartet are the first UK citizens ever to win the 50/50 raffle in the club’s history — a remarkable footnote to an already unforgettable weekend in the United States.
Why stories like this make the World Cup unforgettable
While England fans will be hoping for their own defining moments as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to make history in this tournament, stories like these are a reminder of what makes the World Cup so unique. It is not just about the matches — it is the journeys, the connections between generations, and occasionally the extraordinary luck that finds those bold enough to make the trip.
For Peter, Paul, John and Ross, the 2026 World Cup will always mean more than a scoreline. It will mean the summer they flew to Boston, watched Scotland open their campaign with a win, and walked out of Fenway Park £8,000 richer than when they arrived. Not a bad weekend’s work.
FAQ
Who are the four Scottish fans who won the Fenway Park raffle?
The winners are two father-and-son duos: Peter and Paul Innes, and John and Ross Henderson. All four are from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, Scotland.
How much did they win in the Boston Red Sox raffle?
The four supporters won £8,000 (approximately $10,000) through a 50/50 raffle ticket bought for $40 during a Red Sox game at Fenway Park during World Cup 2026.
What is the Boston Red Sox 50/50 raffle?
It is a lottery held during games at Fenway Park where half of the total ticket sales go to one randomly selected winner. The four Scottish fans are believed to be the first UK citizens ever to win the raffle in the club’s history.
Why were Scotland fans in Boston during the World Cup 2026?
Scotland played their opening World Cup 2026 match against Haiti in the United States. The night after their victory, the Boston Red Sox hosted a Scotland Celebration Night at Fenway Park, drawing hundreds of travelling supporters to the stadium.
Are England playing any games near Boston at the 2026 World Cup?
England (Group L) are playing their group stage fixtures across multiple venues in the USA, Canada and Mexico. While Boston is not hosting England games, the city has become a major hub for British fans during the tournament, with thousands of supporters from across the home nations making it their base.
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