There has been one headache after another in the run-up to this summer’s FIFA World Cup games in Foxborough, but an administration official guiding the state’s hand in it all said Wednesday that preparations are well underway for the 2 million visitors expected in June and July.
“We’re 44 days away, and it’s going to be great,” Jeevan Ramapriya, executive director of the Mass. Office of International Trade and Investment, said at a meeting of the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership board of directors. He was referring to the kick-off of local festivities on June 12.
Under the temporary name “Boston Stadium,” the football stadium in Foxborough will host seven World Cup matches between June 13 and July 9 — a large-scale international event that the state has been planning for over a year.
Ramapriya cited estimates from the Boston 2026 nonprofit organizing committee: “We should expect over 2 million visitors, [the events to] create 7,000 jobs and resulting in over $70 million in tax revenue and a billion dollars in economic output.”
Officials presented data showing a “significant increase” in short-term rental bookings around Foxborough and the Greater Boston area for June and, to a lesser extent, July compared to a year earlier. The chart showed a roughly 110% year-over-year increase in June revenue for Greater Boston properties, as well as an increase in rooms booked for every region of the state in both June and July.
Ramapriya said “lessons learned” from a March preview game between Brazil and France are helping state and local authorities hone their plans for the World Cup.
“Transportation and public safety officials have all met and continue to meet about what could have been better … I think there were traffic issues and other things,” he said. “But overall, it was a successful start and a showcase that we are getting prepared for the for the visitors that are coming.”
The magnitude of events associated with hosting World Cup games has led to concerns, including some presented by state officials in a January report to the Legislature about funding complexities and event locations. State officials got involved to resolve a standoff between the Foxborough Select Board and the local organizing committee, and fundraising concerns linger. The MBTA will be put to the test to make good on its commitment to transport 20,000 passengers per game.
Sen. Patrick O’Connor said in November, “The way we respond to this moment will have generational ripple effects.”
Colin A. Young is deputy editor at State House News Service.
