Boston’s Economic Boost from Hosting Seven Matches of the 2026 World Cup at Gillette Stadium

Boston, the historic city located in the northeastern part of the United States, is known for its rich history, educational institutions, and cultural significance. However, the city has been facing economic challenges in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help revive the economy, Boston was selected to host seven matches of the 2026 World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This announcement was made by FIFA on February 5, 2024, and it was met with excitement and anticipation by city officials and residents.

Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue that has previously hosted international soccer matches. In 1994, the stadium was one of the venues for the World Cup, but the current facility is different from the old Foxboro Stadium. The 2026 World Cup will bring a new wave of excitement and economic opportunities to the region.

The seven matches that will be played at Gillette Stadium include five group stage matches, one match in the round of 32, and a quarterfinal match on July 9, 2026. According to Mike Loynd, president of Boston Soccer 26, the later matches in the tournament, such as the quarterfinal, are more significant economically because they attract more attention and viewers. Loynd acknowledged that organizers were initially projecting about five or six matches, but the final schedule is a “great economic benefit” due to the later matches.

Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston, shared her excitement about hosting World Cup matches in Boston. She stated that nothing compares to the economic benefits of hosting such an event. Sheridan noted that a FIFA study projected that a city hosting the World Cup would generate $400 million in spending. However, with seven matches being played in Boston, the spending is expected to be significantly higher.

Sheridan also mentioned that Boston’s goal has been to reestablish the city as a major global destination since being decimated by COVID-19. She believes that hosting the World Cup matches will help the city achieve this goal and cement its reputation as a global destination. Additionally, the fact that games will also be played in Philadelphia and New Jersey allows fans to travel by train to various venues, which will be a significant economic boost for Boston.

Brian Bilello, president of the New England Revolution and chair of the board of Boston Soccer 26, expressed his excitement about the tournament being a boon to soccer in the region. He believes that it will solidify Boston and Massachusetts as one of the cornerstone soccer hotbeds in the country.

FIFA expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 nations, increased the number of matches from 64 to 104, and announced the 16 sites in 2022. With the additional teams, the length of the tournament will grow from 29 days in the shortened 2022 schedule in Qatar and 32 days for the 2018 tournament in Russia. Seventy-eight of 104 matches will be played in the U.S., with 13 games each in Mexico and Canada, and there could be as many as six matches a day.

The U.S. team will train in suburban Atlanta ahead of the tournament and open at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. The Americans play seven days later at Seattle’s Lumen Field and finish the group stage at SoFi on June 25.

The economic impact of hosting the World Cup matches in Boston is expected to be significant. According to a FIFA study, a city hosting the World Cup generates $400 million in spending. With seven matches being played in Boston, the spending is expected to be significantly higher. The city will benefit from the influx of tourists, increased revenue from hotels, restaurants, and other businesses, and the creation of jobs.

In conclusion, hosting seven matches of the 2026 World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, is expected to bring a significant economic boost to the city. The later matches in the tournament, such as the quarterfinal, will attract more attention and viewers, resulting in increased spending. City officials and residents are excited about the opportunity to reestablish Boston as a major global destination and solidify its reputation as a cornerstone soccer hotbed in the country. The economic impact of the tournament is expected to be significant, with increased revenue from tourism, hotels, restaurants, and the creation of jobs. The World Cup matches in Boston will be a memorable experience for fans and a significant economic opportunity for the city.