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Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Boston During the World Cup Matches
As one of the 11 US host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Boston is gearing up to welcome soccer fans from around the world. The Massachusetts capital is no stranger to large sporting events, with plenty of history and interesting neighborhoods to explore, plus a number of character-filled bars to watch the games […]
As one of the 11 US host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Boston is gearing up to welcome soccer fans from around the world. The Massachusetts capital is no stranger to large sporting events, with plenty of history and interesting neighborhoods to explore, plus a number of character-filled bars to watch the games in. If you’re planning on traveling for the event, you’ll want to know where to eat, play, and stay to soak up the electric atmosphere of the world’s greatest soccer tournament — even if you don’t have tickets to the World Cup itself.
It’s not Boston’s first major sporting event
This is not the first time that Boston has hosted a FIFA championship. It first welcomed the FIFA World Cup USA in 1994, then the FIFA Women’s World Cup in both 1999 and 2003. In 2026, Boston will host seven different World Cup games at Boston Stadium (also known as Gillette Stadium), where the Patriots NFL team usually plays. Foxborough, where the stadium is located, is relatively easy to get to from the heart of Boston, either by an hour-long car ride or a 45-minute train ride from South Station to Mansfield and a quick Uber ride from there.
Though somewhat removed from the stadium, downtown Boston is a great place to explore between games. To get you in the World Cup mood, here are some soccer-themed ways to spend time in Boston.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend for the FIFA World Cup! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Sporty things to do in Boston
Boston is one of America’s most historic and walkable cities, with centuries-old landmarks woven into the fabric of its vibrant neighborhoods. Most visitors will want to explore iconic sites like the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and Quincy Market. But if you’re visiting for the World Cup matches in Boston, the activities below lean a little more athletic—whether that means catching a game-day watch party or kicking back with locals at a waterfront pub.
See the Sports Museum Boston
Photo: Library of Congress/Public Domain
Boston is nicknamed “The City of Champions,” thanks to its storied sports teams that have dominated the major leagues of baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and, yes, even soccer. The city is also home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the nation, so you can expect Boston to be buzzing with contagious energy in the time around the World Cup. Make sure to visit The Sports Museum inside TD Garden to learn more about the city’s sports history. In 2026, the museum will run an exhibit that celebrates the World Cup and how it relates to the history of New England, shining a spotlight on local World Cup competitors like Arnie Oliver, a member of the first-ever US team in the 1930 World Cup who hailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Tickets start around $16 for adults.
The Sports Museum: TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114
Support Boston’s hometown teams
Photo: New England Revolution
Starting in 2026, Boston will be home to its first professional women’s soccer team. So while you’re in the area, catch the new Boston Legacy FC in action. The city also has a professional men’s team, the New England Revolution. Since both teams play in the same stadium where the World Cup is set to take place, there may be some venue changes, but keep an eye on the schedule if you want to get even more of a soccer fix during your time in Boston. Tickets for Revolution games usually start around $42 per person, including fees.
Explore the European North End
Photo: Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock
Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood is called the North End, and its narrow, cobbled streets feel straight out of Europe. It’s also home to a number of European immigrants, so you can expect the neighborhood to be particularly amped up for the Boston World Cup matches.
While you’re in the city, tour the North End’s historic sites (including the church where Paul Revere started his famous midnight ride), hop between restaurants and sports bars to watch the games, or walk along the nearby Freedom Trail that takes you past the city’s major historic sites.
Where to Eat and Drink in Boston during the World Cup
Boston isn’t just a city of die-hard Red Sox and Celtics fans — it’s also home to a passionate soccer community. And with the city deep pub culture and ongoing sports obsession, you’ll want to keep the spots below on your radar for game day.
Caffè dello Sport
In the North End, Caffè dello Sport is a European-style cafe where soccer is always on TV and locals are always sitting outside, sipping espressos and chatting in Italian. The cafe serves a simple menu of pastries, panini, and gelato, but it’s also right around the corner from some of the North End’s best restaurants, like Carmelina’s farther along Hanover Street. It’s also a five-minute walk from the North End location of Regina Pizzeria, Boston’s most famous brick-oven pizza joint that has been around since the early 20th century.
Caffe dello Sport: 308 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
The Banshee
The neighborhood of Dorchester, between downtown Boston and Foxborough, is home to an Irish sports pub called The Banshee that shows European and American soccer games throughout the year. It’s the perfect place to grab a pint and encounter fellow soccer fans. It also shows rugby and hockey games, but soccer is the big draw. Depending on the day, you’ll find English Premier League, Scottish Premier League, Serie A (Italy), and La Liga (Spain) matches, plus any other major international futbol game.
The Banshee: 934 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125
Luciano’s Restaurant
Just off 495 outside of Foxborough, Luciano’s is a classic Italian restaurant that’s an ideal place for a meal when on your way to or from Gillette Stadium for the World Cup games. It’s owned by award-winning Chef Luciano himself, who grew up outside of Rome and attended the Culinary Institute of Italy, so you can expect authentic Italian fare and a welcoming atmosphere.
Luciano’s Restaurant: 800 Washington St, Wrentham, MA 02093
The Phoenix Landing
As one of Boston’s official Liverpool bars, The Phoenix Landing in Cambridge is a regular meeting place for soccer fans and a lively place to catch a game. The bar has a full food menu in addition to drinks and is open until 2AM throughout the week, meaning it’s likely one of the spots where soccer fans will end up spending their evenings during the tournament.
The Phoenix Landing: 512 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Greatest Bar
Head to The Greatest Bar near North Station, a venue known for its soccer watch parties. This spot also offers a dose of local culture, doubling as a museum of sorts that honors Boston sports, hung with photos of the city’s most decorated athletes and sports teams. It also has a skee-ball lounge, complete with league tournaments, if old-school games are your thing.
The Greatest Bar: 262 Friend St, Boston, MA 02114
A.T. O’Keefe’s Irish Pub
A.T. O’Keefe’s Irish Pub claims to be “The Oldest Sports Bar in America,” and has a cozy atmosphere, hearty pub food menu, and impressive bourbon selection. At half time, step outside and take a walk along the Charles River Esplanade around the historic Back Bay neighborhood. The menu is heavy on the usual pub food, but with a few elevated twists, like truffle mac and cheese and house-made Irish Curry.
A.T. O’Keefe’s Irish Pub: 911 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
Where to stay for the Boston World Cup Matches
Photo: Booking.com/The Godfrey Hotel Boston
Boston doesn’t hurt for amazing hotels or home rentals, many of which are in the city’s historic neighborhoods and waterfront areas. A few of the best places to book ahead of time for Boston World Cup matches are below, or you can explore our full list of the best hotel’s near Gillette Stadium and beyond. It’s advisable to book your hotels as pafar in advance as possible — the city is going to be busy.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The Godfrey
If you want to stay in the city but avoid the nightmarish traffic getting to Foxborough, look for accommodation around South Station. The Godfrey is an elegant boutique hotel in a pre-war building about a 10-minute walk from the station. It has modern rooms, some of which offer direct views of Downtown Crossing (one of Boston’s liveliest pedestrian areas). Rooms start around $180 per night but can vary wildly.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Though a slightly further walk from South Station, the Boston Harbor Hotel is on the water and offers easy access to nearby attractions and restaurants. That includes the scenic Harborwalk, and landmarks like the indoor food marketplace Faneuil Hall or the New England Aquarium. Rooms start around $480 per night but can be much pricier in the summer.
Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel
If you don’t want to stay in the city, there are plenty of hotels in Foxborough itself, like the Renaissance Boston Patriot Palace Hotel. This Marriott property is so close to the stadium you can practically look out on the field from your room, and has amenities like an on-site pool, fitness area, and restaurant. Rooms start around $200 per night. 
