Boston will host World Cup 2026 matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the home of the New England Patriots. The city of history, universities and passionate sports fans will be one of the most atmospheric destinations of the tournament, with a huge Irish and European community that will make every game feel special.

Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, about 45 minutes from downtown Boston, and seats 65,878 fans. It is one of the most famous stadiums in American sports, and for the World Cup, it will host group games and knockout ties. Here is the complete fan guide to Boston at World Cup 2026.

The stadium: Gillette

Gillette Stadium opened in 2002 and is the home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution. It is known for its lighthouse and bridge at one end, a tribute to the maritime history of New England, and for its passionate, noisy crowds.

For the World Cup, Gillette Stadium will host group-stage matches and knockout ties. England will play one of their group games here, and the stadium will be full of English fans, Irish fans, and supporters from all over Europe.

The stadium seats 65,878 fans, and the atmosphere for a World Cup game will be superb. Boston is a sports-mad city, and the fans here know how to create a noise. The open-air stadium means the weather will be a factor, but June in New England is usually warm and pleasant.

Matches in Boston

Boston will host group-stage matches and knockout ties, with teams from several groups playing at Gillette Stadium. England's group game here will be one of the highlights, with thousands of English fans travelling to New England.

The knockout games in Boston will be particularly special. With the stadium full and the crowd behind the teams, the atmosphere will be among the best in the tournament. Boston's sports fans are famous for their passion, and they will bring that energy to the World Cup.

Tickets for Boston matches are mid-range by World Cup standards. Group-stage tickets start at around $60 for Category 4, and the city is a popular destination for European fans, because flights from London, Dublin and Paris are direct and relatively short.

Getting there

Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, about 45 minutes from downtown Boston by car. The best way to get there on match days is the MBTA commuter rail, which runs special trains from South Station in Boston directly to the stadium. The journey takes about an hour, and the trains are fast and reliable.

Shuttle buses also run from downtown Boston to the stadium on match days, and rideshares are available, although surge pricing can be steep after the game. Driving is possible, but traffic around the stadium is heavy, and parking is expensive.

Boston Logan International Airport is one of the busiest airports on the East Coast, with direct flights from Europe and all over the United States. From the airport, downtown Boston is about 15 minutes by taxi or subway.

Where to stay and what to do

The best areas to stay in Boston are downtown, the Back Bay, and Cambridge, all full of hotels, restaurants and nightlife, and all well connected by the subway. Boston is a compact, walkable city, and most of the sights are within a short walk of each other.

Boston is one of the oldest cities in America, with the Freedom Trail, Harvard University, and Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in baseball, all worth visiting. The city also has a huge Irish community, and the pubs of Boston will be packed with fans during the World Cup.

The FIFA Fan Festival in Boston will be held in a central location, with giant screens, live music and food vendors. It is free to enter and a great way to watch the games you do not have tickets for. Boston in June is warm and pleasant, with temperatures around 25 degrees, perfect for exploring the city on foot.