Massachusetts stays tight-lipped on total spent hosting the tournament
Massachusetts is calling the 2026 Men’s World Cup a resounding success — even though the U.S. team didn’t make it past the Round of 16.
The state hosted seven games over four weeks at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, temporarily renamed “Boston Stadium” under FIFA rules. Gov. Maura Healey said, “We were able to pull off a fantastic World Cup experience here in Massachusetts and it’s one that’s gonna be to our benefit in months and years to come.”
Before the games, the state committed $91 million for public safety and transportation (not including police overtime), plus $13 million for related activities — partially offset by a $46 million federal grant. Asked for a final total, Healey said, “Not yet, but I can tell you this – whatever we spent, the investments we made – it was all worth it.”
Holy Cross economist Victor Matheson is skeptical of big returns, citing what he calls “leakage.” “The biggest thing that people are gonna spend money on in the World Cup is those super expensive tickets, right?” he said. “None of that money sticks in Massachusetts, there’s no taxes collected on it, and all those dollars go back to FIFA in Switzerland.”
Still, Matheson admits the value of some experiences can’t be measured in dollars, comparing the World Cup to the Fourth of July fireworks on the Charles River.
