Press Release  Governor Healey Announces More Than 1,100 Free World Cup Tickets for Massachusetts Youth 

Boston — Governor Maura Healey today announced that 1,104 free tickets to World Cup matches hosted in Massachusetts will be made available to young people through Boys & Girls Clubs, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and community organizations across the state. The tickets are being donated by Airbnb. 

The initiative will help ensure that young people from communities across Massachusetts — including youth involved with DCF, Boys & Girls Clubs members and families served by community organizations — can experience one of the world's most celebrated sporting events. The program is designed to share that opportunity broadly and help young people from every region of the state be part of this historic moment. 

“The World Cup is coming to Massachusetts, and we want young people from every corner of our state to have the chance to be part of it,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These tickets will help make sure that kids who otherwise may never have the opportunity to attend a match can experience the excitement of the world's biggest sporting event. We want to spread that opportunity as widely as possible, create memories that will last a lifetime and inspire children across the state to dream big and chase their goals.” 

“We’re working to make sure the benefits of hosting the World Cup reach communities across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By providing free tickets to young people, we're opening the door for more families to experience the excitement of the world's biggest sporting event and be part of a moment that will bring people together from around the globe.” 

“We're thrilled to provide hundreds of Massachusetts kids an opportunity to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 and experience firsthand the joy of this once-in-a-generation event — and we're grateful to Governor Healey for helping us make this a reality. As the world arrives in the Boston area, my hometown, Airbnb is proud to help communities take part in the excitement as well as help locals benefit from all those who will travel for the games," said Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, and Boston native. 

“On behalf of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the thousands of young people we serve across the Commonwealth, we are incredibly grateful to Governor Maura Healey for this extraordinary gift,” said Jennifer Aldworth, Executive Director, Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “For many Club kids, attending a FIFA World Cup match is more than just seeing a sporting event—it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the excitement, diversity, and global spirit that sports can inspire. These over 700 tickets will create unforgettable memories, broaden horizons, and remind our young people that they belong on the world's biggest stages. Governor Healey's commitment to expanding opportunities for youth continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Club kids and families throughout Massachusetts.” 

Massachusetts will host seven World Cup matches in 2026, welcoming visitors from around the globe and showcasing the state on an international stage.  

A total of 704 tickets will be distributed through the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, which will coordinate regional distribution through clubs across Massachusetts. Additional tickets will be distributed through community organizations serving cultural communities represented in World Cup matches hosted in Massachusetts, as well as to youth involved with the Department of Children and Families. 

Participating organizations include the Immigrant Families Services Institute, Everett Haitian Community Center, International Institute of New England, Brazilian American Center (BRACE), African Community Education (ACE), Ascentria Care Alliance and Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts. 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is also working with the Department of Children and Families to ensure that young people in foster care and other DCF-supported programs have the opportunity to experience a World Cup match. 

The initiative reflects the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to expanding access to sports, recreation, and transformational opportunities for young people across Massachusetts, while ensuring that communities across the state can share in the excitement and economic benefits of hosting the World Cup. 

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