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 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)

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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)

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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

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — With a nearly party-line vote, the Connecticut State Senate gave final approval to a bill introducing new regulations on homeschooling families.

Twenty-two Democrats voted in favor, with three others joining the entire 11-member Republican caucus in opposition.

The bill that was put before senators for debate is a modified version of one that was first introduced in March, drawing a sizable protest of homeschooling families who viewed the attempt at new regulations as an afront to their autonomy.

The original legislation would have required homeschooling parents to annually provide proof that their curriculum aligned with a general set of state-mandated topics. It also included a provision requiring that parents seeking to remove their child from the public school system first be subjected to a background check of sorts in which school officials would consult the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to see if anyone in the child’s household had a history of abuse.

The legislation was introduced amidst a string of alarming headlines documenting cases of alleged child abuse and, in two cases, the deaths of children who had been removed from the public school system.

The Democrats backing the bill have pointed to these cases as illustrating the need for reform. They have also repeatedly cited a 2018 report compiled by the state’s Office of the Child Advocate which surveyed six school districts and found “that over a span of three academic years, 2013 through 2016, there were 380 students withdrawn from the six districts to be homeschooled, and that 138 of these children (36%) lived in families that were the subject of at least one prior accepted report to DCF for suspected abuse or neglect.”

Republicans largely sided with the sentiments of the homeschooling parents, who felt they were being unfairly scapegoated. They also questioned the effectiveness of the measures introduced by Democrats, arguing some of them, like the requirement to provide proof of instruction, were burdensome, while not directly addressing the issue of abuse.

In the weeks following the public hearing, Democratic leadership in the House also registered discontent with certain sections among their own ranks.

The fierce Republican opposition, paired with scattered Democratic dissent, caused House leadership to remove the curriculum portion while maintaining a DCF check before removal from public schools and a requirement that homeschooling parents annually register themselves online.

A spokesperson for Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday that the governor is likely to sign the legislation.