AS A 100ft-long pirate ship loomed over the Raymond James Stadium pitch, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Disneyland.
The replica — complete with rigging, sails and cannons — “comes to life” surrounded by tiki huts and palm trees.
Ashlyn Castro, the girlfriend of Three Lions ace Jude Bellingham, arrives at the stadium in Tampa to watch England’s friendly Credit: News Group Newspapers ltd
Bemused visiting fans have to ignore the 100ft replica pirate ship to actually watch the game Credit: Simon Jones
But I wasn’t waiting in line for a roller-coaster. I was watching in their first pre-World Cup friendly match.
As skipper scored for the at the stadium in Tampa, Florida, the ship’s horn blasted around the open-air venue in the style of an air raid. An American automated voice repeatedly shouted: “Goal”.
And, in case you missed it, the words flashed up on the 61ft high screens. One US fan laughed and summed it up: “It’s the Walt Disney version of English football.”
The Raymond James is an stadium and home to the , hence the pirate theme. All 11 of the US venues hosting matches are home grounds for NFL teams.
They have had to debrand, re-engineer pitches, remove rows of seating and tone down American-style stadium features such as music prompts in order to comply with rules.
But I can attest that the atmosphere has stayed “very American”.
who travelled here — dominating the near 26,000 crowd — have got an early taste of what’s to come.
Superfan Evan Pharr, 25, from Atlanta, , said: “I’ve been to matches in the UK and the difference here is that this is catered to American sports fans.
England supporters try to cope with the 35C heat in the US Credit: Simon Jones
Harry Kane celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 to England against New Zealand in their pre-World Cup friendly Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“It’s about the whole experience rather than the actual match. They care about everything else going on around them.”
There is a direct contrast with strict airport-style rules fans face outside the stadium and what’s happening inside.
Heavily armed Swat officers wearing camo gear and holding assault rifles patrol on golf buggies. US Homeland Security teams vet you as you enter, making sure no bags are allowed.
Ben Jones, 24, from Manchester, scoffed: “I just want to watch a match, not escape Guantanamo Bay.”
But, having passed the gates, you enter a 20,000 sq ft themed seaside village and boardwalk.
There’s even fake sand, hammocks and cabana-style seating. In true Brit fashion in the 35C heat, fans have taken their tops off and
Unlike at home, you can drink in the stands in view of the pitch.
This changes the mood as the day goes on, with fans’ concentrating on what’s going on around them rather than the actual game.
A stadium camera scans the crowd, ‘kiss cam’ style, above Jude Bellingham blowing a kiss to girlfriend Ashlyn as she arrives at the stadium Credit: PA HOW JUDE
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JUDE Bellingham blows a kiss to girlfriend Ashlyn Castro as she arrives at the stadium in Tampa to watch England’s friendly.
The model, 28, had spent four hours driving from the team’s hotel in West Palm Beach — where captain Harry Kane had embraced late-arrival Bukayo Saka on Saturday.
Sellers pass by with buckets of ice piled high with cans. Cup holders are nearly as big as the seats. There’s music and every so often a stadium camera scans the crowd, “kiss cam” style.
Akin to the gig at which two people who , couples are blasted on to the screens. Perhaps in the hope of the same thing happening.
But here they dance and laugh and whoop and cheer — and some indeed do peck their partners.
Brits were having none of it, however. When a started around the stadium, the England fans refused to take part and instead made crude gestures.
The Sun’s US Editor Scarlet Howes watches England take on New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium Credit: Simon Jones
When a Mexican wave started around the stadium, the England fans refused to take part and made gestures instead Credit: YOUTUBE
Some mocked their US pals, chanting in an American accent: “We support you.”
New Yorker Harry Taylor, 44, asked me: “What’s wrong with us wanting to support England? I don’t get it.”
And that is exactly it. They don’t.
Even down to the low-calorie weak beer which is being sold at nearly £15 for a pint in a can.
I tried it and I can confirm Michelob Ultra tastes like water.
You would need to bankrupt yourself in order to feel any effects.
No wonder the line was longer to get ice cream than it was for a tipple.
As my hair stuck to my face in the extreme humidity, the Americans told me: “We prefer sweet treats to beer.”
They were also perplexed when the England crowd broke into their chants of “En-ger-land”, “No Nay Never” and “Sweet Caroline”.
There was an adapted chant for midfielder , shouting: “And if you see him running down the wing, he’ll score again. Come on England, let’s win the World Cup now!”
Local Carolyn O’Neal, 28, loved it, however. She said: “We, being American, don’t know anything about soccer but we loved the atmosphere.
“When the Brits were getting rowdy we wanted to go and join them. We like the chaos and we say bring it on.”
I laughed.
As the crowd left their seats, Dance The Night Away was played and stewards smiled: “Be safe. Thanks for coming. Remember safety comes first. We care.”
Be warned, America. You might think you’re used to hosting sports games but soon there will be thousands of Brits testing your traditions.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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