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“We’re in a great spot to host seven amazing events here in Foxborough, where we will be the limelight of the world.”
Gillette Stadium. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe
After agreeing to a security funding deal last week, Foxborough town leaders officially approved an event license to host the seven World Cup games scheduled at Gillette Stadium, ending concerns that the planned games would have to be relocated.
During the monthslong saga over an estimated $7.8 million in security funding, the Foxborough Select Board warned they could block the matches if hosting committee Boston Soccer 2026 would not cover the security costs. BS26, a nonprofit that receives no funding from FIFA, said earlier this month that Robert Kraft’s group could commit funds, while town leaders said their concerns remained unaddressed.
However, with the Kraft Sports & Entertainment Group, BS26, and the town said last week that they “reached an understanding” to approve the license at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting.
“We’re not cutting any corners here,” said Gary Ronan, an attorney representing BS26 at the meeting. “We’ve agreed to pay for and fund every single part of the obligations.”
The board voted 5-0 to approve the license.
“We as a community have done our job. We basically put in all the safety and security issues that we have needed. We protected the taxpayers,” Select Board Chair Bill Yukna said before the vote.
Ronan presented BS26’s official application, including a $1.5 million escrow account to purchase public safety equipment beginning now before the games and agreements to cover staffing invoices within one business day during the games.
The license also includes a traffic management plan, which was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, as well as “more robust” MBTA service, Ronan said, accommodating 21,000 patrons on transit for each of the games.
“I want to recognize that holding a World Cup soccer game or Seven World Cup soccer games is not easy. It’s hard anywhere you do it,” Ronan said. “It’s an opportunity for us in the Commonwealth to show the world who we are and how we operate.”
Foxborough Police Chief Michael Grace, who put together a safety plan with FIFA, said planning for the World Cup “has never stopped” and is “in a great place.”
“We’re in a great spot to host seven amazing events here in Foxborough, where we will be the limelight of the world. These matches will bring an excitement that this town has never seen,” Grace said. “We will see the ramp up, and we’re in a great spot from the security standpoint.”
Brazil and France, two of soccer’s most successful men’s national teams, are set to meet for a friendly match at Gillette Stadium later this month, part of the “Road to 26” exhibitions ahead of the World Cup. The match is under the Kraft Group’s annual entertainment license.
Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.
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