World Cup 2026: US Restaurants Add Mandatory Tips for Visitors

Restaurants in US cities hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 are introducing mandatory tips to address cultural differences in tipping. Many international visitors are not accustomed to the US practice of tipping, where servers often rely on gratuities to supplement their wages. To ensure workers are compensated, establishments in cities like Atlanta, Boston, and Kansas City are adding service charges to customer bills.

These mandatory tips are intended to be temporary, covering the period of the tournament. For instance, T's Brunch Bar in Atlanta is raising its automatic gratuity from 18 to 20 percent. Similarly, some Boston businesses are proposing a 20 percent mandatory tip, which will be noted on menus. Restaurant advocates argue this is crucial for supporting industry workers.

However, this policy may face backlash from locals already dealing with high costs. Experts suggest that mandatory service charges, especially if not clearly communicated, could deter customers already feeling the financial pinch. Some restaurant owners prefer posting reminders for guests to tip voluntarily rather than imposing a fixed charge.