City Overview
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston's revolutionary history and intellectual prowess create a unique World Cup host city experience.
While Gillette Stadium sits in suburban Foxborough, Boston proper offers colonial charm, prestigious universities, and some of America's most passionate sports fans. The compact, walkable city centre makes exploration easy.
The Stadium
Gillette Stadium (Capacity: 65,000)
Home to the New England Patriots (NFL) and Revolution (MLS), Foxborough's Gillette Stadium is located 29 miles south-west of downtown Boston and 25 miles north-east of downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
The stadium is located in Patriot Place, an entertainment complex with restaurants and shopping.
Fan Zones & Public Viewing
Details are still being finalised, but expect major installations at:
- Boston Common.
- City Hall Plaza.
- Seaport District.
- Faneuil Hall area.
- Charles River Esplanade.
Fans Visiting Boston
Boston hosts seven matches in total.
- Saturday, 13th June - Haiti vs Scotland.
- Tuesday, 16th June - FIFA 2 vs Norway.
- Friday, 19th June - Scotland vs Morocco.
- Tuesday, 23rd June - England vs Ghana.
- Friday, 26th June - Norway vs France.
- Monday, 29th June - E Winner vs 3rd A/B/C/D/F.
- Thursday, 9th July - Winner 89 vs Winner 90.
Getting There
By Air
Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) is located about 40 miles from the stadium but just two miles from downtown Boston itself.
- Getting To The Stadium: MBTA Commuter Rail to Foxboro.
- Shuttle Buses: From Boston on match days.
- Drive Time: 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Organised fan transport expected.
Accomodation
Where to Stay in Boston
- Boston Downtown: Historic, convenient for sightseeing.
- Back Bay: Shopping, restaurants, walkable.
- Seaport District: Modern, waterfront location.
- Cambridge: Across the river, university atmosphere.
- Foxborough: Limited options near the stadium.
Eat & Drink
Where to Go
- Sports Bars: Boston Beer Works, The Greatest Bar, Jerry Remy's.
- Seafood: Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, Legal Sea Foods.
- Italian: North End neighbourhood (Mike's Pastry, Modern Pastry).
- Irish Pubs: Black Rose, The Druid.
- New England: Row 34, Island Creek Oyster Bar.
Local Cuisine
Highlights
Clam chowder (New England style, cream-based).
- Lobster rolls (cold with mayo or hot with butter).
- Boston cream pie (official state dessert).
- Cannoli from North End.
- Roast beef sandwiches.
- Sam Adams beer (Boston brewery).
- Dunkin' coffee culture.
Top Attractions
What to See in Boston
The Freedom Trail is a famous 2.5-mile path through Boston that connects sixteen nationally significant historic sites. It starts at Boston Common and winds through downtown Boston, the North End, and Charlestown neighbourhoods.
The trail is marked by a red brick line on the ground and includes sites like the Old North Church and Bunker Hill Monument. It focuses on key locations important to the history of the United States, especially related to the American Revolution.
- Fenway Park (baseball stadium tours).
- Harvard and MIT (Cambridge).
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
- USS Constitution ('Old Ironsides').
- Museum of Fine Arts.
- New England Aquarium.
- Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
- Salem witch trials history (30 mins north).
Getting Around Boston
Boston is a compact, historic city with a variety of convenient transportation options.
- Airport Access: There's a free Silver Line bus from Logan Airport to South Station, which also offers a free transfer to the Red Line subway.
- Bus & Subway: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), known locally as 'the T', is Boston's primary public transit system. It includes subway lines, buses, commuter rail, and even ferries.
- CharlieCard: The reusable plastic smart card - used by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for fare payment on subways, buses, commuter rails, and ferries - offers several types of discounts and benefits.
- Commuter Rail & Regional Travel: The MBTA runs commuter rail lines to many suburbs, and Amtrak provides train service to other cities from North Station, South Station, and Back Bay Station. Intercity buses like Greyhound and Megabus also operate from South Station.
- Driving: Avoid it.
- Trolley Tours: Hop-on, hop-off trolley tours like the Old Town Trolley are a fun way to see over a hundred points of interest, with unlimited opportunities to get on and off at major attractions.
- Walkability: Boston is famously walkable. Most major attractions are within a three-square-mile area, making it easy to explore on foot. Walking is often the fastest way to get around downtown, especially during rush hour.
Practical Tips
- Wicked good = very good (local slang).
- The T stops running at 12:30 AM weeknights.
- The weather in Boston is variable, so pack layers.
- Tipping: 18-20%.
- Legal drinking age is 21.
- Book accommodation early as it's very limited near the stadium.
- Parking is expensive downtown.
- The Boston Red Sox (baseball) are scheduled to host the Washington Nationals from June 29th to July 1st.
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