Boston hosts seven matches of the 2026 World Cup, including England vs Ghana on 23 June, Norway vs France on 26 June, and a quarter-final on 9 July. There is one logistical fact every visiting fan needs to understand upfront: the matches are not in Boston. Gillette Stadium sits in Foxborough, approximately 30 miles southwest of the city - and the special event train from South Station is by far the best way to get there.
This guide covers the matches, the Foxborough logistics, the downtown fan festival, and where to stay. For everything else, see our Boston city guide and Things To Do In Boston.
Boston’s World Cup 2026 match schedule
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 13 June | Haiti vs Scotland | Group stage |
| 16 June | Norway vs Iraq | Group stage |
| 19 June | Scotland vs Morocco | Group stage |
| 23 June | England vs Ghana | Group stage |
| 26 June | Norway vs France | Group stage |
| 29 June | Round of 32 | Knockout |
| 9 July | Quarter-final | Knockout |
Scotland plays twice in Boston, and with the city’s deep Irish and Scottish heritage, expect the Tartan Army to take over the pubs around Faneuil Hall and Southie. England vs Ghana on 23 June is the hottest group-stage ticket.
The stadium: Gillette Stadium (“Boston Stadium”)
FIFA calls it “Boston Stadium” but it is Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, in Foxborough - capacity approximately 65,000. It is open-air, though Boston’s summer is the mildest of any US host city (typically approximately 22–28°C), so conditions are comfortable.
Getting there: the MBTA event train from South Station runs direct to Foxboro station on match days, dropping you a short walk from the gates - typically around $20 round trip, and tickets sell out for big matches, so book on the MBTA mTicket app as soon as schedules post. The journey takes approximately 60–75 minutes. Driving via I-95/Route 1 is the alternative, but post-match traffic out of the stadium lots routinely takes over an hour to clear, and event parking must be pre-purchased. There is no regular public transit to Foxborough outside event service - do not plan on a casual rideshare back to Boston without surge pricing of $150+. International visitors arriving at Logan can pre-book a fixed-price transfer with Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer to avoid airport rideshare queues.
Arrive in Foxborough 2–3 hours before kickoff; Patriot Place, the retail and restaurant complex beside the stadium, absorbs the pre-match wait comfortably.
Fan festival: City Hall Plaza
Boston’s FIFA Fan Festival runs at City Hall Plaza downtown from 12 to 27 June - group stage only, unlike the full-tournament festivals in Dallas or Philadelphia. It is free, screens every match, and sits directly above Government Center station (Green/Blue lines). For knockout matches after 27 June, the city’s sports bars take over - the pubs around Quincy Market and the Seaport fill hours before big kickoffs.
Where to stay
Stay in Boston, not Foxborough. Foxborough has a handful of chain hotels that were booked out months ago at inflated rates, and there is nothing to do there on non-match days. Downtown, Back Bay, or the Seaport put you near South Station for the event train and in the middle of the city’s restaurant and bar scene. Expect elevated rates around 23 June and 9 July. Our Boston hotels guide covers every neighbourhood with price ranges - Cambridge across the river is the reliable value play, one Red Line ride from South Station.
Search hotels in Boston on Booking.com
Beyond the matches
Boston between matches is an easy sell: walk the Freedom Trail (free, approximately 2.5 miles through 16 revolutionary sites), tour Fenway Park (approximately $25 - the Red Sox are home several dates in late June), and do the Harvard/MIT stroll across the river. Day trips to Salem or the Cape Cod beaches fill rest days well. Our Boston food guide covers where to eat beyond the obvious lobster rolls.
Practical tips
- Book the event train early - mTicket app, as soon as match-day schedules are released
- Clear-bag policy at Gillette; no backpacks
- Layer up for evening matches - coastal New England cools off fast after sunset
- eSIM: international visitors should grab an Airalo eSIM before flying - connected from the moment you land
- Logan Airport is close to downtown; the Blue Line and Silver Line make it the easiest airport arrival of any host city
Details correct as of June 2026 - confirm match times at FIFA.com and train schedules at mbta.com before travelling. For the full tournament overview across all 16 US host cities, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 USA guide.
For organised match-day experiences and city tours during the tournament, browse tours and activities in Boston. International visitors can book a fixed-price airport transfer with Welcome Pickups or compare rates with GetTransfer. Pick up an Airalo eSIM before you fly. Compare flights to the USA and arrange travel insurance well in advance.