Massachusetts is Match-Ready for the World Cup

From June 13 through July 9, 2026, seven scheduled World Cup matches will take place at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, renamed “Boston Stadium” for the duration of the tournament.

In addition to matches at Boston Stadium, Boston City Hall Plaza will also host an official FIFA Fan Festival, including live match broadcasts, interactive games and activities, and food and beverages from local vendors.

Leading up to and during the tournament, expect large crowds, heavier traffic, and increased security, especially on match days. Whether you’re heading to a match, commuting, or traveling around the state, plan ahead to make the most of this historic moment for Massachusetts.   

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging travelers to “Kick the Drive” this summer and take public transit around Boston Stadium and City Hall Plaza.

Compared to driving, parking, and event-day traffic delays, the MBTA Commuter Rail provides a predictable and more affordable way to travel to and from matches. Roundtrip Boston Stadium Train tickets between South Station andBoston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) will be $80, sold exclusively on mTicket, and are good for travel on the entire Commuter Rail network on match days, allowing visitors more flexibility and options in choosing where to stay to attend World Cup matches. Tickets for the first five matches will go on sale beginning at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 8, with tickets for the Round 32 and Quarter-Final matches on sale closer to the match dates. Full information can be found at MBTA.com/WorldCup. 

For those who choose to drive to Boston Stadium, plan for significantly longer travel times and note that all parking in the Stadium requires a pre-paid reservation. Drivers should anticipate slowdowns and delays on both northbound and southbound Rt. 495 near exit 32 due to stadium traffic.

State, local, federal, and private partners are working together to ensure that residents, visitors, and fans can safely enjoy this global event.

Massachusetts is actively preparing responders and partners through training and real-world exercises focused on crowd management and large-event safety, venue evacuation, and cybersecurity preparedness. 

As part of World Cup preparations, Massachusetts and its partners are advancing a coordinated Human Trafficking Preparedness Plan to address the unique risks related to sex and labor trafficking and the tournament.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is engaged in extensive planning and coordination to protect the health and safety of residents and visitors throughout the festivities.

This means enhanced disease surveillance and monitoring, extreme heat preparation, food safety monitoring, and ongoing coordination and communication with health care providers and public safety officials across the region.