For Residents
When the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 arrives, it will be the largest event the region has ever hosted. The tournament represents an opportunity to showcase Greater Boston on the world stage and will benefit from a collective effort to ensure greatest benefit. Keeping the city moving and open for business requires coordinated planning from the B26 organizers, the community, businesses, institutions and the government.
When and Where
The Matches: Boston will come alive for the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 in June and July this year, with matches, the FIFA Fan Festival™ and associated celebrations taking place across key locations including Foxborough and Downtown Boston. These events will offer residents and visitors alike the chance to experience the tournament both inside and outside the stadium. The Tournament itself will kick off in Mexico City on June 11th with the Final taking place in New York / New Jersey on July 19th. Boston Stadium (the name of Gillette Stadium during the event) will host the following seven ticket-only matches:
- Saturday, June 13: Haiti v. Scotland, 9:00 PM EDT
- Tuesday, June 16: Iraq v. Norway, 6:00 PM EDT
- Friday, June 19: Scotland v. Morocco, 6:00 PM EDT
- Tuesday, June 23: England v. Ghana, 4:00 PM EDT
- Friday, June 26: Norway v. France, 3:00 PM EDT
- Monday, June 29: Round of 32 match, 4:30 PM EDT
- Thursday, July 9: Quarter Finals, 4:00 PM EDT
The match schedule for the whole Tournament is available here.
FIFA Fan Festival™: City Hall Plaza will host the FIFA Fan Festival™, serving as the central fan hub for the tournament and extending activity beyond the days when the matched are in Boston. The festival will feature live match broadcasts, entertainment and cultural programming across multiple days, attracting large numbers of residents and visitors.The FIFA Fan Festival™ Boston will take place over 16 days during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group Stage matches, beginning June 12 and running through June 27. A full schedule, including daily hours of operation, is available here.
Watch parties and community events are also anticipated across the region and there may also be Fan Walks on match days, where groups of fans will gather and walk in celebration of their favorite team.
In addition to the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 and FIFA Fan Festival™ activities, the region will be bustling with parallel summer events including Boston’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, and Sail Boston’s tall ships festival in mid-July:
Pride Parade: Saturday, June 6
Boston Harborfest: Thursday, July 2 – Saturday, July 4
Independence Day / Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular: Saturday, July 4, 250th
Sail 250 Tall Ships: Saturday, July 11 – Thursday, July 16
an Event Like No Other
The FIFA World Cup™ 2026 will bring activity to the region on a scale far beyond the matches at Foxborough, with events, visitors, and global attention spanning the entire Greater Boston area.
- 2 million visitors are expected across the region from June 11 to July 9, 2026
- Matches will be broadcast on most days of the Tournament, with the global TV audience projected to exceed one billion viewers for the July 9 quarterfinal
- Tens of thousands of people daily are expected to participate in Tournament-related activities across the region, particularly in Downtown Boston
- The FIFA Fan Festival™ at City Hall Plaza alone is expected to attract over 10,000 fans per day
Match Days at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium):
Attendance and activity will increase significantly on match days as the region hosts:
- 62,000 ticket holders (including general admission fans and invited guests)
- 1,200 media personnel
- 3,500 workforce staff
- 2,000 volunteers
- Teams, team officials, and match officials
Visitor Origins:
- Approximately 25% of ticket holders are expected to come from within New England
- Approximately 75% will travel from outside the region
- 40% international visitors
- 35% from elsewhere in the United States
Transportation Impact:
- On match days, over 3,000 Tournament-related vehicles are expected to operate in Downtown Boston, transporting fans and personnel to and from Boston Stadium
Maximizing the opportunity
The event is a massive opportunity for the community of Boston and there will be many ways for people to get involved in the celebration beyond just those lucky enough to be going to the sport. While the event is a great opportunity for the region, there will be some changes to the way in which the city operates. This may include changes to peak travel times, adjustments to traffic management in Downtown Boston, or the introduction of new safety and security measures; some of which may require residents to make adaptations to their usual routines.
There are several key things to be aware of as we head into an exciting summer:
- As we prepare to welcome the world to the region, public safety remains our top priority. FIFA and Boston 26, in coordination with local, state, and federal partners, have developed a comprehensive safety and emergency management plan to ensure a secure, enjoyable experience for all visitors, employees, and residents. Expect increased security presence and temporary road closures. More information on Massachusetts Public Safety plans can be found here. We are asking the community to remain vigilant and to follow official local public safety agencies on social media for real-time updates.
- The impacts on transportation across the Boston, Foxborough and the region are expected to be considerable, particularly on days when matches take place at the Stadium.
- Key transportation points, notably South Station and surrounding City Hall Plaza, are also expected to see many more people than usual on match days and there could be associated changes in walking routes, cycling routes and alterations to how roads operate to accommodate these crowds.
- “Fan Walks”, which are organized gatherings where groups of fans walk in celebration of their favorite team, may also be a feature.
- Those traveling by car on match days as part of their daily work routine, especially along the 1-95 South corridor, and through downtown Boston are encouraged to “Kick the Drive” as drive time is expected to be significantly longer than normal. Commuters are encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible. In addition, those traveling in or out of Logan Airport should add additional time to ensure that they arrive in time for flights. More information can be found on the transportation impacts page of this site here.
A collaborative approach across the community will be pivotal in supporting a safe and successful World Cup for everyone.