Boston, MA

Kraft Group reaches deal with Foxborough on security funding for World Cup games at Gillette Stadium – The Boston Globe

Published

1 month ago

March 11, 2026

Kraft Group reaches deal with Foxborough on security funding for World Cup games at Gillette Stadium – The Boston Globe

The town’s Select Board had refused to grant the entertainment license that soccer’s governing body, FIFA, needs to stage the World Cup in Foxborough.

The statement, bearing the logos of Boston’s World Cup host committee, Kraft Sports & Entertainment, and the town, said they had reached an “understanding collectively” to “finalize the details” necessary for the town to approve an entertainment license.

The agreement said Foxborough “will not incur any cost or financial burden related to the FIFA World Cup, with Boston Soccer 2026 providing advance funding for security-related capital expenditures and the full extent of deployment that public safety officials have determined is needed to execute the event with Kraft Sports + Entertainment’s backing.”

The town had set a March 17 deadline for the local organizing committee, Boston Soccer 26, FIFA, or the Kraft Group that owns the stadium to front the funds or the Select Board would not issue the necessary entertainment license.

The nearly $8 million was supposed to be delivered as part of a federal grant that was included in last year’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Massachusetts was allocated $46 million in funding for security needs, with the money originally scheduled to be released by the Department of Homeland Security in late January.

But the money has yet to be disbursed to any of the 11 US cities that are hosting games. (The full tournament, running from mid-June to mid-July, will play in 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.)

The dispute underscored what business leaders around Greater Boston said was deeper dysfunction and looming financial troubles within the Boston organizing committee, which is now scrambling to pull off the event in less than three months.

Boston Soccer 26 — dominated by allies of Patriots owner Robert Kraft — appears well short of the $170 million goal it said it needed to stage a World Cup that could draw 2 million visitors to Greater Boston. Exactly how short remains a mystery.

But the dispute with Foxborough pushed the local committee to make a rare public disclosure last week: that it had only $2 million in the bank, but anticipates depositing another $30 million soon.

That’s a fraction of what was envisioned by the organizers two years ago, spawning concerns about what the World Cup will actually look like at kickoff on June 13.

Meanwhile, in Foxborough over the last several weeks, a series of increasingly contentious meetings highlighted a David and Goliath dynamic between the five members of the town’s Select Board and a host committee working closely with FIFA, the global soccer organization that projects the quadrennial tournament to to generate $11 billion in revenues.

At the last meeting on March 3, two lawyers representing the host committee conveyed a proposal that, in part, guaranteed the Kraft Group would backstop all costs.

Board members made no effort to hide their disbelief and dismay the host committee lawyers did not arrive with essentially a check for security costs that a town with a population of some 18,000 was not equipped to fund.

“I don’t really think you’re hearing us,” said Select Board chair Bill Yukna.

Select Board member Mark Elfman was more direct.

“I find it hard to believe — I’m sorry — that you don’t know after all the discussions that have gone on over the last couple of months exactly what we want,” he said.

Foxborough Police Chief Michael Grace also dismissed the proposal, calling it a “failed strategy.”

Over the weekend, the Kraft Group issued a terse response to what it saw as the select board’s intransigence: “We are deeply disappointed that the town has seemingly reached a conclusion unilaterally without the platform of a public hearing, which is already scheduled for March 17, and would like to understand what the town requires at this stage to get to ‘yes.’ ”

Then, by Wednesday, all the parties got to “yes.”

“We look forward to moving forward together positively,” the statement concluded, “in our shared goals of providing the highest level of public safety for this historic event and delivering a global experience for our region, which will infuse the Commonwealth and Foxborough with an influx of new visitors and associated economic impact.”

The parties also singled out Massachusetts state Senator Paul Feeney, US Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Governor Maura Healey, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll for helping to bring about the security plan.

Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com.

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Boston, MA

In-Store Only

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Press Room

Five shops where the experience is the real purchase.

M. Flynn’s South End boutique. / Photo by Brad Bahner, Kerrie Burke

M. Flynn, South End

The perk: Custom fused bracelets

At M. Flynn’s South End shop, buying a bracelet is a little more hands-on than usual—in the best possible way. In just a few minutes, a delicate chain is custom-fit and fused directly onto the wrist, no clasp required. It’s the kind of experience that’s especially fun with a friend (matching bracelets encouraged!) and results in an easy, everyday piece you don’t have to think twice about.

M. Flynn Jewelry, 40 Waltham St, Boston

Boston Ski + Tennis, Newton

The Perk: A ski and snowboard simulator

Missing the slopes already? Head to Boston Ski + Tennis, where the recently launched in-store simulator allows snowboarders and skiers to train and fine-tune their technique without ever leaving the shop. The coaching staff provides guidance to powder hounds of all levels throughout the experience, proving that even in this digital age, nothing beats the expertise of a real person.

Boston Ski + Tennis, 153 Needham St, Newton

Three clear glass perfume bottles with white wooden caps are held between two hands with light pink manicured nails. Each bottle has a white label with black text reading

Some of Olfactory NYC’s custom fragrances. / Courtesy photo

Olfactory NYC, Back Bay

The Perk: Custom perfume making

At Olfactory NYC, creating a signature scent is part science experiment, part indulgence. Inside the Newbury Street shop, you’ll sample, tweak, and fine-tune notes with help from scent specialists until the fragrance feels unmistakably yours, and head home with a bespoke fragrance.

A Golden Goose artist adds custom sparkle to a pair of kicks. / Courtesy photo
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Golden Goose, Back Bay

The Perk: In-store sneaker customization

Golden Goose’s Co-Creation experience turns sneaker shopping into something far more personal. At the Copley Place boutique, customers can work with an in-house artisan to customize a new pair—adding sketches, crystals, studs, or even personal messages. The result is a one-of-a-kind take on a cult-favorite style.

Earrings by Three Stories Jewelry, which will be on hand for a piercing event at Gretta Luxe this spring. / Courtesy photo

Gretta Luxe, Wellesley

The Perk: In-store events with coveted brands

Here, it’s less about popping in and out, and more about showing up for whatever’s happening next. The designer boutique regularly hosts interactive events that let shoppers hang with reps of their favorite brands. Mark your calendar for May, when Three Stories Jewelry will headline a piercing event.

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Boston, MA

Boston police seek missing 12-year-old from Dorchester

Published

15 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

Boston police seek missing 12-year-old from Dorchester

Police in Boston are searching for a missing 12-year-old girl from Dorchester.

La’Niya Johnson-Skinner was last seen Friday in the area of Mascot Street in Dorchester, police said Thursday.

She is described as a 4’10, 120-pound Black girl with medium brown skin and dark brown hair she wears in a bun, the Boston Police Department said.

When she was last seen, she was wearing a black Nike sweatshirt, a baby blue shirt with a Boston Renaissance Charter Public School logo, black leggings, brown sandals and a pink and black Elite backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 617-343-4712. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 1-800-494-8477, by texting “TIP” to 27463, or by visiting the Boston Police Department’s website.

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Boston, MA

Boston has one of the best public markets in the country, says USA TODAY

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2026

Press Room

Boston has one of the best public markets in the country, says USA TODAY

Looking for a new marketplace to shop at this spring? You’re in luck – Boston is home to one of the best public markets in the country, according to USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.

The annual 10BEST awards highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle, and winners are chosen by a public voting poll after being nominated by industry experts. In the 2026 food awards, highlighting the top food tours, food cruises, farmers markets and more from across the country, Boston Public Market ranked third in the best public market category.

Here’s what to know before you go to Boston’s top-ranked public market.

Why Boston Public Market ranked third

A year-round indoor marketplace in Downtown Boston, Boston Public Market celebrates the bounty New England has to offer with fresh groceries, prepared meals, crafts and specialty items from over 30 local artisans and food producers, with a focus on seasonal items.

Along with browsing through groceries and goods, guests are invited to join the public market for a variety of special events, including trivia, live music, magic shows and face painting.

Boston Public Market is located at 100 Hanover St. on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, directly above the Haymarket MBTA station. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday or 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.