According to ESPN, Boston has emerged as a leading destination in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. No deal is on the table (that we know of), but the mere possibility might raise a few concerns.
Boston, MA
World Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Boston Stadium, which… isn’t really in Boston at all
This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series, in which we look at the 16 venues that will host matches at the 2026 tournament.
Rooted in a past that helped shape a nation, Boston is a region with plenty of history.
It is where key moments in the United States’ past took place, including the Boston Tea Party and the opening clashes of the American Revolutionary War.
In sports, championship-winning teams for the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins have helped define a legacy of success.
And, just outside the capital of Massachusetts, Boston Stadium (as it will be known for the World Cup) has been central to that sporting reputation.
That is in no small part thanks to the dominance of NFL side the New England Patriots, while Major League Soccer outfit the New England Revolution also call the stadium home. As interest in the beautiful game Stateside continues to grow, it will now take centre stage this summer.
Here’s what you need to know about Boston Stadium ahead of the World Cup.
What is it normally called? And what will it be called at the World Cup?
The stadium is usually known as Gillette Stadium, after the shaving brand that holds the naming rights.
Due to FIFA’s commercial regulations, it will be referred to as Boston Stadium during the 2026 World Cup — and all the usual stadium signage must be covered up.
Despite the name, the venue is not located directly in Boston — it sits almost 30 miles southwest in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It was at the centre of a dispute as Foxboro did not want to pay the $7.8million (£5.8m) security costs associated with the World Cup, before an “understanding” was reached with the stadium owner Kraft Sports & Entertainment (KSE) and the Boston host committee in March.
When did it open, how much did it cost, and who plays there?
The stadium opened in 2002, replacing the former Foxboro Stadium.
Built at a cost of approximately $325million, it was designed as a modern, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting both American football and soccer at the highest level.
As the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, it is one of the few stadiums in the U.S. regularly used for both sports.
The statue of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady outside the stadium (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The first NFL regular season game held there was against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in September 2002.
The stadium has since been through a $250million renovation that was completed in 2023, marking the largest upgrade process since its opening.
What are the most famous moments that have happened there?
Unsurprisingly, many of the most iconic moments belong to the Patriots, a team that has long dominated the NFL.
During the eras of legendary former quarterback Tom Brady and longtime head coach Bill Belichick, they built a dynasty that helped define a generation. Their Super Bowl victories were played elsewhere, but this is where the foundations of their success were built.
Among the significant moments are the 2003 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, and a 2007 win against the San Diego Chargers that helped the Patriots complete a perfect regular season.
The 2017 AFC Championship Game win against the Pittsburgh Steelers was another memorable moment, as was the comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 AFC Championship Game. The 2014 comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens was also notable.
In soccer, the Revolution produced a historic season in 2021, winning the Supporters’ Shield. The stadium has hosted international fixtures and was one of the venues for the 2003 Women’s World Cup. The 2016 NHL Winter Classic was hosted here, too.
Beyond sport, the stadium has hosted global superstars including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé.
How many fans can it hold? Will it be full for the World Cup?
The stadium has a standard capacity of around 65,000, but it can expand to more than 68,000 for some events. For the World Cup, it is expected to be close to full capacity for all matches.
A recent friendly match between France and Brazil drew a crowd of 66,215 — the second-largest gate for a soccer game here, behind a 2007 friendly between Brazil and Mexico that brought in 67,584 fans.
France’s friendly against Brazil drew in 66,215 fans (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The highest attendance for any event is held by singer Ed Sheeran. His concert in 2023 attracted a crowd of 71,723.
What kind of pitch does it use?
It typically uses a FieldTurf artificial surface, which is standard for NFL competition.
For the World Cup, however, FIFA regulations require natural grass and a temporary grass pitch has been installed specifically for the tournament.
It has already undergone matchday testing. The process of replacing the field began in February and a grass pitch was in place for the Brazil-France game.
Special irrigation and ventilation techniques are being used to maintain surface quality.
There is no roof on the stadium, unlike some others across America.
What will the weather be like?
In the Boston and Foxboro area, June and July generally bring warm and humid conditions.
Temperatures typically range from 68°F (20C) and 86°F (30C), with occasional rain or thunderstorms possible.
Are there other changes for the World Cup?
As with all World Cup venues, several temporary adjustments are required.
Beyond the installation of a natural grass pitch, Boston Stadium must remove sponsor branding in line with FIFA regulations. Upgrades to seating, media facilities, security and hospitality areas are also going ahead.
How do you get there?
Getting to the stadium requires some planning, as it is located outside central Boston.
Special train services will run between South Station and Boston Stadium at a cost of $80, sold on the mTicket site.
For those driving, the stadium is accessible via major highways, but traffic can be heavy during big events.
There will only be 5,000 parking spots available for fans at Boston Stadium this summer (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Twenty-thousand parking spots are usually available around the stadium during New England Patriots games, but there will only be 5,000 spots for fans parking at the World Cup, due to a new safety perimeter around the stadium.
Shuttle services are common, but fans are advised to allow extra time. Rideshare options are available and the stadium has a designated drop-off spot.
What can fans expect?
Inside the stadium, fans can expect a modern venue with strong sightlines and an atmosphere that is usually intense.
There is also a stunning video display board measuring 60ft high by 370ft wide, situated in the north end.
A view of the 60ft by 370ft video display board at Boston Stadium (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Beyond the stadium itself, the surrounding Patriot Place offers a full matchday experience — with restaurants, bars and fan areas creating a lively build-up to games right alongside the main venue.
Anything else I should know?
One of the stadium’s standout additions is impossible to miss: a 22-story lighthouse towering above the north end zone.
At the top sits a 360-degree observation deck offering views of the stadium and beyond.
The design is a nod to New England’s maritime identity — a region shaped by the sea and dotted with more than 100 historic lighthouses.
Which games will be played there?
There will be five group games and two knockout games played at Boston Stadium.
June 13, Group C: Haiti v Scotland, 9pm local time, 2am BST (+1)
June 16, Group I: Iraq v Norway, 6pm local time, 11pm BST
June 19, Group C: Scotland v Morocco, 6pm local time, 11pm BST
June 23, Group L: England v Ghana, 4pm local time, 9pm BST
June 26, Group I: Norway v France, 3pm local time, 8pm BST
June 29, Round of 32 game: 4.30pm local time, 9.30pm BST
July 9, Quarterfinal game: 4pm local time, 9pm BST
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Concern numero uno is obvious. Giannis is one of the handful of players capable of altering the championship picture by himself. Pairing him with Jayson Tatum would create an impressive combination of size, athleticism, versatility, and star power. The question is whether Brad Stevens and the Celtics can actually pull it off without creating a new set of problems for themselves.
Boston’s path to Giannis is narrower than it first appears. The Celtics would almost certainly need to move Jaylen Brown, either directly to Milwaukee or through a third team. Reports indicate Brown has little interest in joining the Bucks (in paraphrase: “Milwaukee?! Yuck!”), which complicates matters further. We start moving from a blockbuster trade to a three-team puzzle involving contracts, draft compensation, and competing agendas.
Even if Boston finds a way through that maze, there’s no guarantee the resulting team will succeed.
Giannis may be a better asset than Brown, but championships are not won by comparing players one-for-one. They’re won by building complete teams (case in point: YOUR WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS ).
Brown averaged more than 28 points per game last season while defending multiple positions. He can create his own offense, punish smaller defenders, and absorb primary scoring responsibilities when Tatum is unavailable (as Tatum was for most of last season, recovering from a torn Achilles). Replacing him with Giannis raises Boston’s ceiling, perhaps, but also changes the structure of the roster.
The Celtics have spent years building an ecosystem around two star wings. Remove one and the supporting cast suddenly becomes more important, which means Stevens would have many more decisions to make before the start of training camp.
What catches me up is, if the Bucks believed that Giannis has more great years ahead of him, would they so quickly offload him to a conference rival? Might he actually be a distressed asset?
Giannis will turn 32 this season. He has generally been durable over his career but has dealt with increasing lower-body issues (especially calves and knees) in recent years, leading to more missed time. To wit:
• 2022–23: 63 GP / 19 missed
• 2023–24: 73 GP / 9 missed
• 2024–25: 67 GP / 15 missed
• 2025–26: 36 GP / 46 missed
Wouldn’t that just be the worst if the Celts parted with Brown to get him, and then Giannis missed extended time due to injury? Like, the absolute worst? (Insert diabolical laughter.)
A healthy Tatum-Giannis pairing would present unique challenges for New York. The Knicks would need to defend relentless downhill pressure while also containing one of the league’s best bucket creators. But, given their depth, New York may be better equipped than most teams to handle it.
So if the Celtics’ pursuit of Giannis causes an initial flutter of worry, you can let that just drift on by. The scenario only noses toward Red Alert if Boston nabs him while somehow also acquiring a guard who makes up for what they’d lose with Brown’s departure.
But wait! This just in: Chris Haynes has pushed back on the idea that a Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Boston deal is close. He writes that Boston does not appear to be a promising destination and suggested the situation could extend into July. Additionally, Marc Stein reported that the Celtics are frustrated by speculation involving Jaylen Brown, while Brian Windhorst said Brown has not been formally offered in a trade. So, to quote the great William Goldman (also a Knicks fan), “Nobody knows anything.”
It’s worth noting that the Miami Heat are also reportedly in the mix. We’ve heard that the lack of income tax is alluring to the Greek Freak. Plus Florida offers sunny, warm weather, which is not a defining feature of Wisconsin. In the end, though, joining Boston would allow Giannis to keep all his favorite green-themed items in his wardrobe, and shouldn’t looking good be a priority, too?
BOSTON — The Boston Bruins said Thursday they are retiring Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 as part of a ceremony next season.
The date will be shared later, following the NHL schedule release that is expected next month.
Bergeron is set to join fellow 2011 Stanley Cup champion Zdeno Chara with his number in the rafters. Bergeron, when it happens, will be the 14th player to have his number retired by the storied franchise.
He spent his entire 19-year career in the league with the Bruins, playing 1,464 games counting the regular season and playoffs. That included the title run in 2011 and more trips to the final in ’13 and ’19.
“Patrice was the kind of rare, generational talent that every team wanted,” owner Jeremy Jacobs said in a statement. “He was a deftly skilled playmaker and the undeniable greatest defensive forward in the NHL’s history. But it was the leadership he provided on the ice and in the locker room that made him truly stand apart and an all-time legend of the Boston Bruins.”
Bergeron succeeded Chara as captain in 2020 and served three seasons in that role before retiring. He called this an honor that is difficult to put into words.
“When I arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old, I could never have imagined receiving this recognition one day,” Bergeron said. “I have always believed that any success I had was only possible because of the people around me. I was fortunate to play alongside incredible teammates, learn from outstanding coaches and staff and be supported by an organization that believed in me from the very beginning.”
Craig Ferguson set out on foot from Los Angeles with a remarkable goal: to walk 3,500 miles across America. It took him 109 days.
Last week, I had the privilege of joining him for his final steps into Boston. In those first moments after completing his journey, I asked him what the experience had been like. Without hesitation, he called it the hardest thing he had ever done.
What began as a mission to raise money for SAMH, a Scottish charity that provides mental health and social care support, became something far greater. Along the way, Craig inspired thousands of people and helped raise more than $1 million. His arrival in Boston also came amid the excitement surrounding Scotland’s appearance in the World Cup, giving his home country even more reason to celebrate.
Craig’s commitment to mental health advocacy is perhaps best expressed in his own words: “Mental health doesn’t care who you are or where you’re from. It can meet you along the road, sometimes when you least expect it.”
Those words resonate deeply with me. I was raised by a mother who faced significant mental health challenges, and I know firsthand how important support systems can be for individuals and families. Organizations like SAMH provide hope when people need it most. Equally important is continuing to normalize conversations about mental health and recognizing that it is a health issue that touches every community and every walk of life.
There are countless routes Craig could have taken and many cities where he could have chosen to conclude this extraordinary journey. The fact that he finished in Boston is something we should be proud of.
Boston has always been a city defined by resilience, compassion, and perseverance. Those qualities are why “Boston Strong” means so much to so many people. Craig Ferguson may be Scottish by birth, but through his determination, his generosity, and his commitment to helping others, he has embodied that spirit.
As we welcome him to our beautiful and sports-loving city, we thank him for reminding us that even the longest journeys begin with a single step, and that no one should have to walk through life’s struggles alone.
Craig Ferguson is Boston Strong.
Anne Brensley is the Republican-endorsed candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
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