Press Release  Match Ready Massachusetts: Governor Healey Highlights State’s Preparation for World Cup  

Boston — Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll today joined state and local officials to highlight Massachusetts' ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup games taking place at Boston Stadium, and the coordinated work underway across transportation, public safety, public health, emergency management and other key sectors to ensure the state is ready to welcome visitors from around the world. 

The World Cup will bring millions of viewers and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region, creating a historic opportunity to showcase Massachusetts on the global stage. Through Match Ready Massachusetts, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is coordinating planning efforts across agencies and with local, federal and private-sector partners to deliver a safe, successful and memorable tournament. 

“Massachusetts is ready to welcome the world,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Teams across state government, alongside our local, federal and private-sector partners, have been working together to make sure people from around the globe experience a safe, successful and memorable World Cup. From transportation and public safety to public health and emergency preparedness, we're preparing every aspect of the visitor experience and showcasing what Massachusetts does best.” 

"Hosting seven games of the World Cup is an extraordinary opportunity for Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This tournament will bring visitors to communities across our state, support local businesses and showcase everything that makes Massachusetts a great place to live, work and visit. We're focused on making sure every aspect of the experience is safe, seamless and welcoming while creating benefits that will last long after the final match is played.” 

State officials provided updates on transportation improvements, public safety coordination, public health preparedness, emergency planning and investments designed to support host communities and ensure a seamless experience for residents and visitors throughout the tournament:  

Public Safety: Keeping Residents and Visitors Safe 

World Cup public safety planning is one of the largest coordinated preparedness efforts ever undertaken in Massachusetts. A central part of this work is a public safety and security planning structure composed of 14 specialized planning groups focused on areas including communications, tactical operations, intelligence and investigations, transportation network security, public information, health and medical services, emergency management, Fan Festival planning, team movements and Boston Stadium operations. These groups are identifying risks, testing plans, coordinating resources, strengthening situational awareness and preparing for both routine operations and more complex scenarios. 

“What distinguishes World Cup preparation in Massachusetts is the strength of the partnerships behind it,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “No single agency or community can prepare for an event of this scale alone. This effort has brought people together around a shared commitment to keeping people safe, supporting the public safety personnel who will carry out this work, and meeting this moment with the collaborative spirit that defines Massachusetts. With important work still ahead and real operational demands in the coming weeks, the trust and coordination built across this partnership have prepared Massachusetts to welcome the world safely.” 

At the request of the Foxborough Police Department, Massachusetts has activated up to 85 members of the Massachusetts National Guard on State Active Duty to provide limited operational support at Boston Stadium during the World Cup period. Guard personnel will support fixed security posts around the perimeter, entrance gates and other access-control locations, helping augment the overall security posture and allowing sworn law enforcement personnel to focus on traditional law enforcement responsibilities. 

Through Match Ready Massachusetts, partners are also sharing practical public safety and public health guidance to help residents, visitors, fans, workers and businesses plan ahead and know where to turn for trusted information. That work includes a coordinated human trafficking prevention and response effort focused on public awareness, frontline training, worker protections, youth engagement, survivor support and access to help before, during and after the tournament. Partners will also continue sharing guidance on emergency alerts, suspicious activity reporting, drone restrictions, venue and crowd safety, health and medical readiness, scam prevention and proper 9-1-1 use. The public is encouraged to use official sources, follow directions from public safety and event personnel, report concerns and call or text 9-1-1 only for emergencies. 

Transportation: Moving Fans and Visitors Efficiently Across Massachusetts 

“As we prepare to welcome the world to Massachusetts for the World Cup, we encourage the general public to plan ahead, allow extra travel time for commutes, and take public transit for those traveling to the games, Fan Festival and other local event celebrations. MassDOT and the MBTA are working alongside our municipalities, public safety agencies, and regional transportation providers, coordinating operations to ensure residents and visitors can travel efficiently throughout the state. These efforts reflect the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to showcasing Massachusetts on the global stage and ensuring we make this a safe and enjoyable experience for all,” said Interim Secretary of Massachusetts & MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. 

With multiple matches scheduled during peak afternoon and evening travel times, MassDOT is urging the general public to plan ahead and allow for extra time on match days. To help drivers who may be unfamiliar with the area, MassDOT has installed wayfinding signs on I-95, I-495, and Route 1 using international symbols to help guide visitors to the stadium. In addition, movable digital message signs will be deployed with World Cup travel updates and heavy traffic messages as needed. These messages will be updated to direct travelers in real time and respond to changing traffic conditions.  

MassDOT will implement construction restrictions as needed on key routes around Boston Stadium. This includes I-495, Route 1, I-93, I-95, and other major roadways in the Boston area. MassDOT will also have additional resources in place across the region on match dates to help keep traffic flowing and respond quickly to incidents. Tow trucks will be deployed at strategic locations on I-93, I-95, I-495, and Route 1 for quick clearance in the event of a crash or disabled vehicle. Portable cameras will be deployed at strategic locations on I-95, I-495, and Route 1 for real-time traffic monitoring and response. Our Highway Operations Center will be on duty as always.   

MassDOT has a free traffic app called Mass511 which provides real-time traffic updates, which we encourage people to download and use. For the World Cup, MassDOT has added a new widget showing travel times on three major routes to Boston Stadium:  

• Logan Airport to Boston Stadium;  
• The I-95/I-90 interchange to Boston Stadium;  
• T.F. Green Airport to Boston Stadium.  
   

You can download the app on Apple and Google’s app stores.  MassDOT has also distributed public information materials across the state to help residents, visitors, businesses, and local partners plan ahead in their community. Match days will be different from a typical travel day, and even from a typical Patriots Game Day, as we’ll have many people on the road who are unfamiliar with the area and parking has been significantly reduced around the stadium. Roads, transit, parking, and local communities may all experience higher-than-normal demand before, during, and after events. This is not only true in the area of Boston Stadium, but across the state as people travel to transit locations, parking sites, or attend watch and fan events.   

We encourage the general public to stay up to date with traffic impacts by visiting Mass 511.  

Public Transportation 

The MBTA is preparing for an unprecedented transportation effort during the 2026 FIFA World Cup by providing dedicated Commuter Rail service to and from Boston Stadium in Foxborough on all seven match days. 

As previously announced, the MBTA will operate 14 express trains between South Station and Boston Stadium, which is a predictable and traffic-free alternative to driving. Roundtrip Boston Stadium Train tickets cost $80 and will be available exclusively through the mTicket app. Tickets will also be valid for travel across the entire Commuter Rail network on match days, providing visitors with greater flexibility when planning their travel. 

Most peak-period Commuter Rail service will remain in place, although temporary schedule adjustments will be implemented across portions of the network between June 8 and July 12 to support match-day operations. 

On Match Days, additional station staff will be deployed throughout the system to assist riders. The MBTA will also extend service on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green subway lines, as well as several key bus routes, to ensure fans returning from evening matches can make connections throughout the transit network. The agency will also offer extremely limited shuttle bus service to support late-night returns following the June 13, 16, and 19 matches. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, review accessibility information, and check for service updates before traveling. 

Regular riders and all visitors are reminded that the MBTA is offering summer Commuter Rail savings June, July, and August. See the full range of discounts here. 

Protecting Public Health and Well-Being of Residents and Visitors 

With the influx of visitors for the World Cup and other large summer gatherings, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has been working closely with local public health, hospitals and healthcare providers, and other partners throughout the state for over a year to prepare for — and prevent — any potential health impacts.  

“We are ready to keep people healthy and safe while they celebrate, cheer, and enjoy our beautiful Commonwealth,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “The work of the Department of Public Health is constant, coordinated, and deeply focused on prevention. Our wide-ranging efforts include enhanced monitoring for infectious disease, increasing awareness of extreme heat and ways to avoid heat-related illness, and strengthening healthcare readiness and emergency response systems, just to name a few.” 

Review and share DPH’s key tips for fans and visitors to protect their health while they celebrate, which includes guidance in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. These tips cover how to protect yourself from sun and heat, keep your food safe, prevent infectious diseases, find medical care when you need it, and more.  

Economic Impact and Tourism: Showcasing Massachusetts to the World 

“The World Cup is a rare opportunity to showcase Massachusetts to a truly global audience,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Millions of people around the world will be introduced to our communities, businesses, institutions and innovation economy. We're focused on making the most of that moment by supporting visitors, highlighting what makes Massachusetts unique and creating opportunities that strengthen our economy long after the tournament ends.” 
 

The World Cup represents a significant economic development opportunity for Massachusetts, providing a global stage to showcase the state's strengths in innovation, talent, and industry leadership while welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors, international media, business leaders, and government delegations to the region. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is leveraging the tournament to strengthen international partnerships, attract investment, deepen trade relationships, and highlight Massachusetts' leadership in sectors such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, climatetech, advanced manufacturing, and defense. Through business roundtables, international delegation engagements, and strategic events coordinated by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, the state is using the World Cup to position Massachusetts as a premier destination for companies, entrepreneurs, and skilled talent.  

Tourism initiatives led by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, including more than $10 million in grants supporting fan events, public safety, and regional activations, are helping communities across the state capitalize on increased visitation and drive economic activity for local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and attractions. 

For more information about Massachusetts' World Cup preparations, visit Mass.gov/worldcup. 

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