A Journey Like No Other
Two men. Three countries. 10,000 miles. 39 days. 16 stadiums. One World Cup. Englishman Ollie Jenks and Canadian friend Seth Scott are attempting a feat that combines a love for football with a spirit of adventure: visiting every venue of the 2026 World Cup in a traditional London black cab.
With the final set for 19 July in New Jersey, the clock is ticking. The pair must navigate mechanical mishaps, unfamiliar roads, and the sheer scale of North America – all while ensuring their beloved cab, affectionately named 'Abby the Cabby', stays on the road.
The Inspiration Behind the Adventure
For Jenks, the seed was planted years ago.
"When the World Cup announced it would be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico, being a big football fan I thought there would be no better opportunity to do a trip I dreamt of years ago,"he explained. The idea also drew from a 2008 BBC documentary, Stephen Fry in America, in which the comedian traversed the United States in a black cab.
Having already completed a 14,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town in a three-wheel Reliant Robin in 2025, the pair were desperate for a new challenge. The global tournament provided the perfect canvas.
More Than a Road Trip – A Community on Wheels
The mission is about more than just ticking off stadiums. Jenks and Scott have been offering lifts to World Cup fans from around the globe, with supporters from Colombia, Ghana, DR Congo and Argentina already hitching a ride. It’s a gesture born from a recognition of the tournament's financial demands.
"The average wage in Bosnia is like $800 a month or something, so they'd have to work for three or four months just to afford a ticket,"said Jenks.
"If we can maybe help out in some kind of way, we would have done a bit of a good deed at the same time. I like that community aspect for football kind of brings together."
The duo are also using the trip to raise money for charity, adding a philanthropic layer to their adventure.
The Black Cab’s Bumpy Road to the World Cup
Acquiring a London taxi in North America proved a challenge in itself. After a lengthy search, Scott found one on a film set in Vancouver – but it was far from roadworthy.
"I looked at it and told Ollie, 'we should not buy this, that is awful',"Scott recalled.
"The fuel tank was rusted out, the brakes were seized and it didn't even roll initially. We had to get a tow truck to drag it in. The fuel lines are full of dirt and the engine was full of mud. The radiator was rusted out. It was genuinely awful."
Despite the clear warnings, they bought the cab for £1,000. It hadn’t been driven in seven years and needed a month of repairs before it could begin the journey. Since setting off, they’ve been averaging around 350 miles per day, battling constant mechanical issues to keep the dream alive.
Key Takeaways
- Ollie Jenks and Seth Scott are driving a London black cab to all 16 stadiums of the 2026 World Cup, covering 10,000 miles in 39 days.
- The journey is inspired by a BBC documentary and a shared passion for football, following a previous adventure across Africa.
- Beyond personal achievement, they are raising money for charity and giving lifts to fans from around the world to promote football’s community spirit.
- The black cab, bought for £1,000, required extensive repairs after being unused for seven years and has faced numerous breakdowns on the road.
- The pair must complete their journey before the World Cup final on 19 July, adding pressure to an already gruelling schedule.
Quick Facts
Vehicle: Traditional London black cab ('Abby the Cabby')
Distance: 10,000 miles
Duration: 39 days
Stadiums visited: All 16 World Cup venues
Charity: Raising money for undisclosed causes
Previous adventure: London to Cape Town in a Reliant Robin (2025)
