Gillette to Host FIFA World Cup 2026 - Big Win for Providence and Boston Hotels and Restaurants
GoLocalProv Sports Team
Gillette to Host FIFA World Cup 2026 - Big Win for Providence and Boston Hotels and Restaurants
This is a big sports and tourism win for the region -- especially for Boston and Providence, as games are to be played in Gillette Stadium.
Providence and Rhode Island hotels and restaurants are expected to see a major windfall.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“The World Cup is a tremendous opportunity to position Rhode Island on an international stage. We will be working with our tourism partners to market Providence and the surrounding region as a cost-effective, convenient and exciting alternative to Boston,” said said Kristen Adamo, PWCVB president and CEO.
Each host city is projected to host four to six matches over the course of the tournament. Boston will also host fan fests throughout the city, providing fans with or without match tickets the opportunity to engage and enjoy a festival atmosphere with fans from around the world. The Boston Consulting Group’s research has estimated that Boston can expect an estimated 450,000 visitors hailing from Europe, South America and across the globe, with a projected net economic impact of up to $500 million.
In the most competitive selection process in FIFA World Cup history, Boston was selected from a field of 22 finalist cities across Mexico, Canada and the United States. Gillette Stadium will serve as the venue for all matches hosted in Boston. FIFA evaluated each candidate host city based on city and state infrastructure, transportation (airports, train, roadways), human rights, stadium infrastructure, fan fest locations and training sites. The Boston Soccer 2026 committee who worked on the united Boston bid consists of representatives from the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Boston Sports Partnership, Kraft Sports & Entertainment and the New England Revolution.
“We are thrilled to welcome FIFA World Cup Soccer back to Massachusetts in 2026,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The teams and their fans from around the world will be welcomed by the Commonwealth’s restaurants and attractions both in Boston and beyond and we are appreciative of Robert Kraft for his efforts as Honorary Chair of the United Bid to help bring the World Cup back to the United States, as well as the Boston Soccer 2026 Committee for its tireless work to secure Boston as a host city.”
“The City of Boston is excited to once again welcome the worldwide soccer community and visitors as the FIFA World Cup returns to Massachusetts,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We’re proud of our long legacy of championship teams and fans, and we’re ready to showcase our city to soccer fans around the world as they come to celebrate the beautiful game.”
"The FIFA World Cup is a global event and our world-class city is ecstatic to once again host these iconic matches,” said Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to welcome fans from across our continent and beyond to the Commonwealth, where they will experience our rich and vibrant culture, and of course an amazing sports scene. Hosting these matches will inject tremendous spending into our visitor economy, which will ripple out across the region.”
UPDATED 7:47 PM