Boston World Cup fan festival announced; Foxboro security funding still unresolved
Boston's official FIFA World Cup 2026 fan festival will be held on City Hall Plaza. Organizers made the announcement Tuesday as questions remain over who will pay for security costs around the matches at Foxboro's Gillette Stadium.
"Thousands of residents and visitors will gather to cheer on their teams downtown," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
Gov. Maura Healey said in addition to showing the matches at City Hall Plaza, there will be live entertainment, local food vendors, and interactive experiences for all ages.
More details will be announced soon, but officials say it's anticipated to be free.
The town of Foxboro, Massachusetts is fighting for funding to cover security this summer.
Seven matches will be played at Gillette Stadium, which will be known as Boston Stadium for the tournament in June and July. The first game will be between Scotland and Haiti on June 13.
Town officials want to know who is fronting the $7.8 million bill for security costs in Foxboro.
"We're working through that right now," Boston Host Committee Chair Mike Loynd said. "We've been in detailed conversations with FIFA and the stadium on this; I think we'll come to a very good conclusion."
Massachusetts is eligible for $46 million in federal grants for World Cup security and preparedness, but a recent state report called the grant program process "unusual" because the state has limited control in how that money can be distributed and when.
The Boston Globe reported Monday Foxboro was supposed to learn on January 30 about its grant request. But the town is still waiting and they're refusing to grant a key entertainment license to FIFA until they have what they need to pay police and buy any necessary public safety equipment.
In a statement Tuesday, a town spokesperson told WBZ-TV "hosting an event of this scale creates significant public safety, operational, and infrastructure demands" on Foxboro.
"The Town has spent many months working with event organizers and public safety professionals to carefully identify the resources required to safely host these matches. Those planning efforts have made clear that the associated municipal costs are substantial," the statement said.
"The taxpayers of Foxborough cannot and will not be responsible for funding an international sporting event. We believe it is reasonable and appropriate that FIFA and/or event partners provide the funding necessary to support the public safety and operational requirements that come with hosting these matches."
Loynd acknowledged there are "complicated issues" around funding costs, but said he is staying in touch with local officials.
"This one is not so easy," he said. "I'm comfortable that we'll be there."
