Massachusetts announces $10M for World Cup watch parties across Boston and beyond

State officials announced on Monday, March 23, 2026 that $10 million in funding will be distributed to cities and towns to support public watch parties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The funding will help create large-scale viewing events across the state, including in Boston, as officials prepare for an influx of fans and global attention.

The goal is to turn public spaces into fan zones, with big screens, programming, and infrastructure to handle crowds gathering to watch matches together.

Boston is expected to be one of the key locations, alongside other major cities and communities across Massachusetts.

The World Cup is set to take place in June and July 2026, with matches hosted across North America. While Boston is not hosting games at Fenway Park, nearby Foxborough will serve as a major venue at Gillette Stadium.

This funding is part of a broader effort to prepare for the scale of the event, which is expected to bring millions of visitors to the region.

For residents, it means access to free or low-cost public events tied to one of the biggest global sporting events.

For the state, it is a chance to showcase Massachusetts on an international stage.

Planning for the watch parties will roll out over the coming months as cities determine locations, logistics, and programming ahead of the summer tournament.