Tailgating Approved at Gillette Stadium for Boston World Cup Matches

The Boston World Cup host committee has announced that tailgating will be allowed before FIFA World Cup 2026 games at Gillette Stadium (called Boston Stadium during the World Cup) in Foxborough. This announcement reverses FIFA's initial ban on tailgating, which had been in place for several weeks before the announcement on Monday, April 27.

“We are pleased to share that tailgating will be permitted at Boston Stadium like any other event hosted at the stadium, as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it,” a Boston host committee spokesperson said in a statement shared with CBS News Boston. “Additional fan information will be shared ahead of the start of the tournament.”

The Boston Herald noted that FIFA reversed its initial stance that no tailgating would be allowed at any of the 104 matches during the tournament, which will be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

According to The Boston Globe, the policy reversal stems from a misunderstanding by the host committee and the stadium's Kraft Sports Group owners of a communique from the tournament's FIFA organizer stating that tailgating is forbidden across the tournament.

Rick Jones, a sports and entertainment sponsorship consultant from Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, told the Globe that Boston and other World Cup host cities should see tailgating as a marketing opportunity.

“The tailgating experience is so important and so uniquely American. Host cities should be celebrating that,” he said.

While tailgating is back in the mix for the event, parking and crowd-control logistics will be tighter for World Cup events. Approximately 5,000 public parking spots will be available, compared with roughly 20,000 for New England Patriots games. Fans are encouraged to use alternative transportation, including the $80 special train and the $95 express bus.

Six group-stage matches will be hosted at the home of the NFL's New England Patriots in Foxborough, south of Boston, plus a quarterfinal on July 9.