Jun 19, 2026
The World Cup might be the main reason people from around the world are traveling to Dallas, but they’re quickly becoming captivated by something else when the pitch stops.
International visitors have become so fascinated with the megaconvenience store Buc-ee’s that officials in nearby Fort Worth are organizing daily shuttles to take tourists to and from the chain’s gas stations.
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“We were told it was an American institution, and that you couldn’t leave Dallas or Texas without coming here,” Canadian Ryan Reynolds (no, not that one) told The Dallas Morning News.
Buc-ee’s is a curiosity for many Americans. For international visitors, it’s downright fascinating. The sheer size of the convenience store (which holds a Guinness World Record for the Dallas location), the cleanliness of the bathrooms, the wall of beef jerky and the employees in their red shirts are unlike anything many visitors experience — or can even imagine — back home.
Travel by Cowtown
The Cowtown Visitor Shuttle is running daily through July 12. Beyond Buc-ee’s, it gives visitors a chance to explore the Stockyards historic district, where they can grab cowboy boots, try line dancing and catch a rodeo. Riders can also visit Six Flags, which is set to open Tormenta on June 26. The coaster will reach speeds of 87 mph, feature a 95-degree drop and set six world records.
Other destinations include Tanger Outlets, the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Botanical Garden.
The shuttles are typically used to handle overflow from the city’s rail system and help visitors get to World Cup matches. On non-match days, transit officials decided to put them on the Buc-ee’s-and-more route to promote local tourism.
Buses depart every 30 minutes from downtown Fort Worth. An all-day pass, which also includes access to the region’s public transportation network, costs either $10 or $20, depending on the destination.
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A fascination with Americana
Buc-ee’s isn’t the only thing World Cup visitors are finding fascinating about America. Ranch dressing has become a favourite among many World Cup tourists, with a few even drinking[a][b][c] the condiment on its own. It has become so popular that the Transportation Security Administration posted a tongue-in-cheek reminder that travelers can’t pack four bottles of ranch in their carry-on luggage.
The Cheesecake Factory has also been a hit. So have In-and-Out Burger joints. And trips to Waffle House have become the cultural equivalent of a badge of honor, especially in the early morning hours.
Soccer may be what brought people to the United States during a tense political environment, but it’s Americana that’s keeping the visitors engaged. For plenty of Americans, that’s a welcome distraction.
“My absolute favorite thing right now is World Cup fans visiting from different countries and experiencing American culture shock,” Kasey Gifford wrote on social media. “Some great examples were a Japanese man losing his mind over free chips in a Mexican restaurant and two British guys at a Buc-ee’s trying the fresh BBQ brisket.”
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Chris Morris is a veteran journalist with more than 35 years of experience at many of the internet's biggest news outlets. In addition to his activities as a writer, reporter and editor, Chris is also a frequent panel moderator and speaker at major conferences, including CES and South by Southwest.
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