Boston Legacy FC
With over 20,000 tickets already sold, the performance promises to be a historic moment for both the team and the city.
The Boston Legacy FC soccer team’s logo of a swan. (John Tlumacki/Boston Globe Staff)
February 24, 2026 | 1:37 PM
2 minutes to read
Boston Legacy Football Club is gearing up for an unforgettable inaugural home opener on March 14, and to make the occasion even more memorable, they’ve secured an iconic performance by none other than New Kids on the Block.
The multi-platinum, award-winning boy band from Boston will headline the halftime show at Gillette Stadium during Boston Legacy FC’s first-ever match, set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET against NJ/NY Gotham FC, airing live on ABC.
NKOTB, whose roots trace back to Dorchester, will bring their energy to a packed stadium in what’s expected to be one of the largest crowds in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history, according to a news release. With over 20,000 tickets already sold, the performance promises to be a historic moment for both the team and the city.
The group New Kids on the Block. (Photo courtesy of New Kids on the Block)
The group will perform a medley of their chart-topping hits, including “Hangin’ Tough,” “Step By Step,” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” to celebrate their Boston origins and global success alongside a new chapter in Boston sports history.
“Welcoming NKOTB to Gillette Stadium for our home opener is just the beginning of what will be an unforgettable inaugural season,” Jennifer van Dijk, Team President of Boston Legacy FC, said in a release. “On March 14, we’ll celebrate everything that makes Boston special — from professional sports and music to our public schools and fiercely loyal fans. By bringing together the Boston Legacy FC and NKOTB fan bases, we’re creating a once-in-a-lifetime moment for our city. This is an event not to be missed.”
For the band, the performance is another welcome return to their roots.
“We’ll never stop being Boston fans – we are loyal to the end. This halftime performance is part of a new and exciting chapter in Boston sports history and we are so happy to be a part of it,” said Donnie Wahlberg. “It’s still the five of us doing what we love to do and we can’t wait for our fans to join us, along with so many women’s soccer fans from across New England, in celebration of Boston and Boston Legacy FC.”
Tickets for the historic home opener are available now, and fans can secure their seats for the event here.
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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