Media Room

By Neal Riley

June 12, 2026 / 6:30 AM EDT / CBS Boston

Cities and towns across Massachusetts will be setting up big screens for free, family friendly World Cup watch parties this summer.

The state this spring distributed $10 million in grants to communities “to support fan celebrations and community watch party events.”

Here’s where you can find official World Cup watch parties in Massachusetts for the tournament.

FIFA Fan Festival Boston at City Hall Plaza

The main gathering spot for viewing the World Cup in Boston is the official FIFA Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza.

It will be open daily between June 12 and June 27, broadcasting two to three matches per day. When matches aren’t being shown, there will be performances on stage from local artists and musicians. 

Admission to the fan festival is free, but advance online registration is required. 

Elsewhere in the city, community watch parties will be held at Dorchester’s Town Field (June 15 Spain vs. Cabo Verde), Boston Common (June 19 Brazil vs. Haiti) and East Boston Memorial Stadium (June 27 Colombia vs. Portugal).

“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said the owner of two of the first four participating restaurants.

By Brianna Borghi • Published June 12, 2026 • Updated on June 12, 2026 at 11:36 pm

Cambridge launched new outdoor drinking zones Friday, allowing people to carry alcoholic drinks outside in designated areas for the next seven weeks under a new Massachusetts law.

The city is preparing for an influx of visitors during the World Cup, but the rollout was slow on Day 1, as some restaurants and visitors were still learning how the program works.

Under the new state law, people can drink alcohol outdoors only within approved drinking zones. Cambridge has six zones, including parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square and Kendall Square.

Customers must buy drinks from participating restaurants. As of Friday, only four restaurants were participating: Grendel’s Den Restaurant and Bar and The Sea Hag in Harvard Square, The Phoenix Landing in Central Square and Row 34 in Kendall Square.

“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said Kari Kuelzer, who owns Grendel’s Den and The Sea Hag.

As the World Cup arrives, Massachusetts has given communities the option to let bars and restaurants stay open until 3 a.m. But will restaurant owners take advantage of the change?

Kuelzer said she had been pushing for outdoor drinking ahead of the World Cup because it could help restaurants serve more visitors.

“It can boost sales, but also it can just make it more possible to use the space we have for all of these extra visitors in a way that makes it fun,” she said.

Participating restaurants must serve drinks in clear plastic containers labeled with the establishment’s name. Customers also must receive a wristband that is color-coded for each drinking district.

“The bartender will make you a drink just like we do in the restaurant and transfer it into a clear plastic cup that we write our name on,” Kuelzer said. “And then you can’t stay in the restaurant with it. You actually have to go.”

The rules went into effect at 11 a.m. Friday, but Kuelzer said some restaurants still need time to prepare.

“They haven’t had time to figure it out,” she said. “They’ll probably do it by next weekend or maybe tomorrow.”

Some visitors were surprised to learn they could legally drink outside in the designated zones.

“We’re actually not allowed to drink on the street,” said Luke Bain, a Scottish fan visiting Cambridge. “They don’t trust us, weirdly.”

Outdoor drinking will be allowed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day through July 31.

“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said the owner of two of the first four participating restaurants.

By Brianna Borghi • Published June 12, 2026 • Updated on June 12, 2026 at 11:36 pm

Cambridge launched new outdoor drinking zones Friday, allowing people to carry alcoholic drinks outside in designated areas for the next seven weeks under a new Massachusetts law.

The city is preparing for an influx of visitors during the World Cup, but the rollout was slow on Day 1, as some restaurants and visitors were still learning how the program works.

Under the new state law, people can drink alcohol outdoors only within approved drinking zones. Cambridge has six zones, including parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square and Kendall Square.

Customers must buy drinks from participating restaurants. As of Friday, only four restaurants were participating: Grendel’s Den Restaurant and Bar and The Sea Hag in Harvard Square, The Phoenix Landing in Central Square and Row 34 in Kendall Square.

“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said Kari Kuelzer, who owns Grendel’s Den and The Sea Hag.

Imani Clement

Digital Content Editor

BOSTON —

In a major reversal, Clover Food Labs announced Wednesday that it would not close its Boston and Cambridge locations, as the company said it would back in May.

The vegetarian restaurant chain, which operates in the Boston metro area, announced on May 26 that it would close after 17 years in business.

Clover Food Labs will close all restaurants and delivery operations, affecting about 170 employees

However, in an email sent out Wednesday, Clover Food Labs said it they were not prepared for the response from diners who loved the restaurant and that the outpouring of love influenced the company to stay open.

“On the last day at Harvard Square (which also happened to be Commencement) our long-tenured team was laughing and reminiscing and blasting music amidst all the “sorries” from customers standing shoulder-to-shoulder, holding their last Mushroom Popper or Soy BLT. Customers were crying, and that made us cry,” the company said in an email.

All Boston and Cambridge locations will remain closed for the remainder of the week and will reopen officially on June 9. Breakfast will return on June 10.

Clover Food Labs made several promises in the email announcing its return, including the following:

“We will not continue as a shell of ourselves, or someone else’s concept grafted onto our leases. We will continue as the experience that we have all built together—the concept that moved so many to raise their voices last week. We will continue to change with the seasons, support local farmers, create local jobs, and foster community.”

Restaurant chain received so much support on its final day that an investor stepped up. It plans to re-open locations in Boston and Cambridge June 9.

by Madison LucchesiWednesday, June 3, 2026

A diner eats at Clover in Cambridge’s Central Square on May 19, 2021. Credit: Marc Levy / file

On May 26, Clover Food Lab announced it would close its doors in two days. People showed up in droves, traveled near and far for one last popover, and one person even wrote a four-minute tribute song. Less than one week later, Clover announced it is not closing after all, thanks to a new investor.

The company said in a press release Wednesday, June 3 that it received nearly 500 responses to its “Share a memory” form and even had someone bike around Cambridge to visit as many locations as she could.

“At a certain point, the amount of public outcry became so widespread that it led to an email, then a phone call, then several phone calls, then some very late night meetings,” the release said.

Clover will reopen its Cambridge and Boston locations for lunch service on June 9 with breakfast service resuming on June 10. 

However, the reason Clover closed in the first place hasn’t changed. “Inflationary pressures on our industry remain an issue,” the chain wrote in an email to Cambridge Day.

The company’s closure was not its first bout with financial instability. In November 2023, Clover filed Chapter 1, Subchapter 5 bankruptcy — established in 2020 for small business restructuring when consumer and real estate markets changed — to overhaul operations. The chain exited bankruptcy in April 2024 with 13 locations and the goal of operating 60 locations by 2029. 

On March 30, the company warned its staff and customers Clover would shut down by June if it did not find an investor. 

Now, Clover is “hard on implementing operational changes to ensure [its] financial sustainability,” the company told Cambridge Day. 

The investor’s identity and amount put into the chain were not disclosed.

It noted that its customers can play a part in its future success by providing feedback on its food — good or bad — telling a friend about Clover, or bringing them to a location.

By Torstein Rehn

BOSTON —

Looking for something fun to do in Massachusetts this weekend? Here are five suggestions:

• Harvard Square Mayfair
• New England Hong Kong Festival
• NextGen STEMFest
• Free Ferry Weekend
• WBUR Festival

By Victoria Wasylak Globe Correspondent,Updated May 21, 2026, 5:30 a.m.

Sound Check is the Globe’s weekly guide to concerts, tunes, and trends rooted in Boston and beyond. This column covers May 22-28.

If you’ve visited Harvard Square for Memorial Day weekend in recent years, you’ve likely seen the stampede — thousands of Boston Calling attendees, covered in sweat and band merchandise, spilling out of the Harvard Athletic Complex every night. Some attendees brave the Uber surge pricing and grab a rideshare outside of the festival’s gates, but far more trek up John F. Kennedy Street to hop on the Red Line or return to their hotel rooms. In between the festival and the Square, temptations abound: pub grub, cheaper (or stiffer) drinks, late night entertainment at venues like Club Passim.

Since relocating from City Hall Plaza to the Allston complex in 2017, Boston Calling has become one of the Square’s largest economic drivers, says Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association. But there’ll be no parade of music fans up John F. Kennedy Street this weekend, as Boston Calling takes a “gap year” with a promise to return in June 2027. (When the festival made the announcement last summer, representatives gave no reason for the pause.)

“Each year since [2017] has brought more people to the Square,” Jillson says of the festival. “Our businesses have come to depend on the positive impacts of Boston Calling, as they do with major events like Harvard commencement and the Head of the Charles [Regatta].”

That’s why it’s somewhat surprising to hear that this weekend is business as usual for staples of the Square. If they’re feeling any pressure from the lack of festival-driven foot traffic, they’re not saying so. Jillson notes that the Harvard Square Business Association is “optimistic” that visitors for Sail Boston, World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, and festivities for the country’s 250th anniversary “will lessen the impact” of Boston Calling’s absence this year.

Boston chain Tasty Burger has long been one of the local brands associated with the festival, and has been an on-site vendor at both Boston Calling locations. Now, when guests walk back to the Square from the Harvard Athletic Complex, they also pass the chain’s Harvard Square location, creating a “bookend” situation that Tasty Burger co-owner David DuBois says “undoubtedly” introduces the eatery to new customers every year.

Any change in sales that Tasty Burger might see from Boston Calling’s absence this year will likely be softened by the fact that the chain resumed its role as the “official burger” of the Red Sox this year, a deal that added their burgers and shakes to the ballpark’s food offerings.

“That’s been keeping us busy,” says DuBois.

On nearby Mt. Auburn Street, independent record store Planet Records sees an uptick in visitors during the festival, although it doesn’t result in a “hugely significant” boost in business, says owner and founder John Damroth.

“Our store is not about what’s contemporary music, necessarily,” Damroth says, noting that Boston Calling attendees tend to focus more on newer artists. “We’re sort of a deeper, historical music store, so we carry a lot of music from the ’30s to now, but not a lot of new releases.”

“After 43 years of doing this, I’ve kind of tried to be flexible about expectations, especially when it comes to special events,” he adds, noting that a large-scale tradition like the Square’s annual MayFair can negatively impact traffic and customers’ ability to access the store.

Across the Square, Passim’s indoor Campfire Festival will continue as planned, Friday through Monday. The twice-annual festival launched Labor Day weekend of 1998, and grew to include a Memorial Day weekend edition soon after.

Boston Calling’s move to Allston has coincided with growth for the May festival, says Passim’s managing director, Matt Smith, and it’s not uncommon for a few Boston Calling attendees to trickle in to the listening room, embracing the festival’s spirit of discovering new music. (Sometimes, the two festivals would even share a performer; folk artist chrysalispulled double duty at both events in 2023, as did jazz bassist, vocalist, and composer Devon Gates last year.)

“We would sometimes get a late boost,” Smith says. “There were definitely times when it would be pouring rain, you’d see the ponchos come over, and all of sudden, we’d have a room full of people having burgers and beer and watching the show at the club, because we were inside.”

But a lack of extra foot traffic this year “doesn’t concern me in any way,” Smith adds.

“It’s inherently such a different kind of event that I don’t think it’ll be a huge change to us either way — except in that it’ll be easier for people to find parking,” he concludes with a laugh.

Club Passim will present free and ticketed performances featuring Carroll Sisters Trio, Leland Martin, and more.

By: Chloe RabinowitzMay. 20, 2026

The Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) will return to Harvard Square Sunday, July 5. The festival will celebrate Greater Boston’s rich Celtic music traditions with talented local musicians and will feature both free and ticketed shows. 

The free daytime shows will kick off at 2:00 PM and feature sets from The Carroll Sisters Trio and Erin Shea Hogan & The Kind Strangers. The evening show will begin at 7:00 PM and feature Isabel Oliart Trio, Torrin Ryan & Amy Law, and Leland Martin. All of the shows will be at Club Passim in Harvard Square. 

About the artists:

The Carroll Sisters Trio

The Carroll Sisters Trio is most known for their traditional and contemporary tunes from the Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton traditions and their original arrangements on fiddle, cello, and piano. Their music reveals both their old soul connection to the musical traditions they come from, their deep connection to the New England music scene, and their youthful energy and creative arrangements. They’ve performed in intimate settings such as pubs, farm festivals, house concerts, as well as at larger events like Sober St. Patrick’s Day in New York City (2018), the Boston Celtic Music Festival (2022-2024), and the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, CO (2024-2025). Their 2022 debut album (Daybreak, produced by John Whelan) has been critically acclaimed and featured in Irish Music Magazine, Celtic Life International Magazine, The Irish Echo, Boston Irish Magazine, and Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Their second critically-acclaimed album (Radiance, produced by Katie McNally) came out in August 2025.

Erin Shea Hogan & The Kind Strangers

The Kind Strangers is the solo project of Boston-based singer and educator, Erin Shea Hogan (of Forsyth and The Adam Hendey Band). The project centers on intimate and imaginative reworkings of traditional and contemporary ballads. Drawing on a wide-ranging background in vocal and sacred music, Hogan brings a deeply personal and genre-fluid approach to song interpretation, blending elements of both folk, and devotional music traditions. With sensitivity and curiosity, Hogan invites listeners into her musical world, influenced by artists such as Paul Brady, Keith Murphy, Eva Cassidy, Sam Amidon, Sandy Denny, June Tabor, and Joni Mitchell. 

Isabel Oliart Band:

Isabel Oliart is a fiddler from Boston and has been playing the violin since she was 3 years old. She started taking fiddle lessons with Anne Hooper in 2009. Isabel is the current U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion of 2025 and has competed in Scottish fiddle competitions many times in the US. She has played all over the Boston music scene and has recently debuted a new trio with Elizabeth Anderson and Elias Cardoso at the New Hampshire Highland Games in 2025. Sammy Wetstein is a multi-instrumentalist, cross-genre musician from Boston. He is part of many bands, including Catfish in the Sky and the Carroll Sisters. Anne Hooper is a renowned fiddler and teacher who helped Isabel win the US Nationals in Scottish fiddling. Together, the trio brings a mix of traditional and original Scottish fiddle music.
 

Torrin Ryan & Amy Law:

Based in the Boston area, Torrin Ryan (uilleann pipes, flute, whistle) and Amy Law (fiddle) are a duo united by a deep respect for the heritage of traditional Irish music. Blending over two decades of individual experience, their playing is rooted in the pure drop, older style of the genre. Together, Torrin and Amy perform extensively across New England at gatherings dedicated to traditional music including the Winter Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) . the Maine Celtic Celebration, West Coast Tionól, Blackstone River Theatre, and Patsy Touhey Weekend.

Leland Martin with Janine Randall and Eamon Sefton:

Leland Martin has been playing in the Boston area for over a decade and is known for his passion for the Cape Breton style of fiddle playing. Some of his Cape Breton fiddle influences include Troy MacGillivray, Kimberley Fraser, and JP Cormier. Leland’s projects include his album Moonlighter, released in 2022, and an online library of videos playing through Ryan’s Mammoth Collection– a Boston-based tune collection which also has deep roots in the Cape Breton tradition. Leland is also a well-known session leader at many venues, including Boston States Fiddle Camp, and he currently runs an open session at The Luthier Collective in Cambridge, MA.

The festival is tailored after the winter BCMFest, held each January to celebrate Greater Boston’s richness of music, song, and dance from the Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic traditions.

• Nik DeCosta-Klipa

May 11, 2026

Didn’t shell out a mortgage payment to see the World Cup in person? You can still watch the games shoulder to shoulder with fellow soccer fans in Boston.

From big public watch parties to tried-and-true soccer bars, the Boston area is going all out — pressing, to put it in soccer terms — for the tournament’s return to North America for the first time in more than three decades.

Even if you’re not trekking down to Foxborough, here’s a look at your options to get in on the action.

The official FIFA Fan Festival

Where is it?

FIFA’s official fan fest will be in downtown Boston at City Hall Plaza, “right outside the most beautiful building in the city,” as Mayor Michelle Wu recently said. (Why are you laughing?)

What is it?

Basically, it’s a big outdoor watch party for World Cup games.  Leaders of Boston 26, the local World Cup organizing committee, say it will have live broadcasts on a massive screen of two to three matches a day during the tournament’s group stage. (That includes matches happening across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, not just the games at “Boston Stadium” in Foxborough.)

The fan fest will also have food and World Cup merch for sale. And in between the matches, organizers are planning to put on a cultural showcase of local talent with live music and other entertainment.

When is it?

The festival will run for 16 consecutive days during the tournament’s group stage: June 12 to June 27. A spokesperson for Boston 26 also confirmed that it won’t run during the elimination stage, when there are fewer games each day.

The general hours of operation will run from early afternoon to after dark. Here’s a look at the daily schedule (subject to change):

• Friday, June 12 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14 — noon to 9:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 15 — 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 16 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 17 — noon to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 18 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 19 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 20 — noon to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday, June 21 — 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 22 — noon to 10:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 23 — noon to 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 24 — 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 25 — 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 26 — 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27 — 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

How to attend:

Unlike some fan fests in other parts of the country, admission to Boston’s World Cup fan fest will be free. However, organizers say attendees will be required to register in advance. Keep an eye on this website for registration details.

How to get there:

Festival organizers strongly encourage taking public transit. Fortunately, City Hall Plaza is literally steps from two MBTA stations: Government Center (Green Line and Blue Line) and State (Orange Line and Blue Line). The T’s Park Street station, which serves the Red Line, is 0.3 miles away. And if you’re staying downtown, Boston is very walkable (and bikable). If you’re farther away and need to drive, check out this website for info on downtown garages and metered parking.

Local watch parties

The official fan fest isn’t the only party in town. If you don’t want to trek downtown Boston, many other Greater Boston cities are planning watch parties of their won.

Cambridge

Across the river, Cambridge is planning outdoor watch parties, located in different neighborhoods, for all seven of the games at Foxborough. The series promises free food, activities and, in some cases, a night market. The June 26 watch party for the star-studded France-Norway game will also lead into Cambridge’s annual outdoor dance party in Central Square.

Click here for details. Here’s an overview of the schedule and locations:

• Saturday, June 13 — Haiti vs. Scotland (Central Square)
• Tuesday, June 16 — Iraq vs. Norway (Harvard Square)
• Friday, June 19 — Scotland vs. Morocco (Inman Square)
• Tuesday, June 23 – England vs. Ghana (MIT Open Space/Kendall Square)
• Friday, June 26 – Norway vs. France (Central Square)
• Monday, June 29 – Round of 32 (East Cambridge – Donnelly Field)
• Thursday, July 9 – Quarterfinals (East Cambridge – Cambridge Crossing)

Chelsea

Meanwhile in Chelsea, organizers are planning what they believe is the state’s only public watch party with a Spanish-only broadcast.

The city’s Fiesta de Fútbol will turn Chelsea Square into a “a vibrant outdoor gathering space” with Telemundo’s broadcast on the big screen. There’ll also be food vendors, live music, and community programming that celebrates the cultures and traditions of Chelsea, where two-thirds of the residents identify as Latino or Hispanic, according to census data.

“ Our hope is for people to come to a safe place, to enjoy Chelsea, to have a positive experience of what Chelsea has become,” said Omar Miranda, a co-organizer of the event. “It’s such a great place to come and enjoy Latino culture, the food, the vibes.”

The fiesta kicks off with the World Cup’s opening match on June 11 and will run “the duration of the tournament,” according to the city’s website. Officials said a complete schedule is expected to be announced by the third week of May.

Revere

Revere is planning a slate of free public watch parties for big matches like the World Cup final and semifinals, as well as group stage games involving the U.S., Morocco and Colombia. (The Moroccan and Colombian communities are each estimated to make up about 10% of Revere’s population.)

Revere’s watch parties will rotate from four different locations: Waterfront Square by Revere Beach (by the Wonderland MBTA stop); The Yard at Suffolk Downs, the Shirley Avenue corridor and downtown at Harry Della Russo Stadium. The schedule is below:

“ Our hope is for people to come to a safe place, to enjoy Chelsea, to have a positive experience of what Chelsea has become,” said Omar Miranda, a co-organizer of the event. “It’s such a great place to come and enjoy Latino culture, the food, the vibes.”

The fiesta kicks off with the World Cup’s opening match on June 11 and will run “the duration of the tournament,” according to the city’s website. Officials said a complete schedule is expected to be announced by the third week of May.

Revere

Revere is planning a slate of free public watch parties for big matches like the World Cup final and semifinals, as well as group stage games involving the U.S., Morocco and Colombia. (The Moroccan and Colombian communities are each estimated to make up about 10% of Revere’s population.)

Revere’s watch parties will rotate from four different locations: Waterfront Square by Revere Beach (by the Wonderland MBTA stop); The Yard at Suffolk Downs, the Shirley Avenue corridor and downtown at Harry Della Russo Stadium. The schedule is below:

According to the city’s website, the free events will include local art, activities and partnerships with local bars, restaurants, and small businesses hosting their own tournament celebrations.

Metrowest

On the outer edges of the I-495 loop, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau is planning regional watch parties in Marlborough and Franklin, featuring a big screen, food trucks, beer gardens and more.

Marlbrough will host its watch party on the World Cup’s opening weekend, June 11-13, at Kelleher Field. The event is free, but attendees are required to register online ahead of time.

Franklin’s will follow two weeks later on June 24-25 as the group stage closes out on Franklin Town Common and Hayward Manor. No registration is required.

Worcester

Massachusetts’ second-largest city is planning a total of nine World Cup watch parties on Worcester Common, Mayor Joe Petty announced earlier this spring on social media. The full details and date have yet to be announced.

According to the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants, two of the Worcester Common watch parties will be for the Haiti vs. Scotland match on June 13 and the England vs. Ghana match on June 23 (both of which are being played in Foxborough). While the Ghanian team will be based in Providence, the city of Worcester has declared itself a “host city” for Ghana fans.

Everett

The city of Everett is planning a single watch party at Everett Veterans Memorial Stadium, thanks to a $10,000 state grant. The date has yet to be announced.

Other cities and towns

Brockton, Burlington, Easthampton, Greenfield, Lexington, Lowell and Weymouth are also among the Massachusetts communities that have received grants to host World Cup watch parties.

Build-your-own watch party

The city of Boston is beefing up its summer block party grants so that residents can host their own World Cup watch party with their neighbors. You can get up to $750 for food, (nonalcoholic) drinks, lawn games and other setup costs.

Officials recommend applying at least 30 days ahead of time and the final deadline to apply is June 8. Click here for more details on the process and requirements.

Soccer bars

Listen, most local sports bars and Irish pubs will likely have the games on TV — it’s the World Cup, after all. But if you want to make sure the games are on the big screen with sound, check out our list of Greater Boston’s top tried-and-true soccer bars.

Here are a few highlights:

For the USMNT diehard: Head over The Banshee in Dorchester. It’s home to the Boston branch of the American Outlaws, the official U.S. national team supporters club (as well as a dozen other supporters clubs). So you’ll no doubt find fellow enthusiastic soccer fans sporting red, white and blue.

• Can’t make it to The Banshee? The American Outlaws are also planning satellite World Cup watch parties at Parlor Sports in Somerville, Teddy’s on the Hill in Beacon Hill and Faces Brewing in Malden.

For the hungry fan: Several names on our list have earned plaudits for elevating your typical pub fare. But it was McGonagle’s Pub that landed a shoutout in last year’s New York Times list of the best 50 restaurants in the country.

For international fanfare: The Haven, a Scottish bar in Jamaica Plain, is planning a three-day football festival for the World Cup’s opening weekend. With Scotland playing two games in Foxborough, the bar plans to be home base for the Tartan Army.

For the craft beer snob: It’s not just Guinness and Irish (and Scottish) pubs. JP’s Drawdown Brewing has the games on tap — plus micro-brewed IPAs, altbiers and a flagship cream ale you won’t find at the other bars.

From your couch

In total, there are 104 World Cup matches on the schedule. They’ll all be broadcast on either FOX (locally branded as Fox 25, Channel 25 or WFXT) or FOX Sports/FS1. See the full English-language TV schedule here.

Meanwhile, Comcast has the Spanish-language broadcast rights — in case you want Andrés Cantor’s famous “GOOOOOOOOOL!” calls. All 104 matches will be streamed live in Spanish on Peacock. Telemundo will also broadcast 92 matches in Spanish, while the other 12 are on Universo.

A nice perk of hosting the tournament locally for North American soccer fans — many of whom are accustomed to waking up early on the weekends or tuning in during work hours to catch the top club-level matches — is that more than a third of this year’s World Cup matches will occur during the primetime window.

WBUR’s Dan Guzman contributed reporting to this story.

From where to stay near Gillette Stadium to free fan zones around Cambridge, here’s everything you need to plan your World Cup trip to Boston.

Sunday May 10 2026

The last time Boston hosted the FIFA World Cup was in the ’90s, and now it’s returning almost three decades later for seven games this summer, as one of the 11 host cities in the U.S.

Though the tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, Boston’s games will include five group-stage matches, a round of 32 match and a quarterfinal, which will wrap up the local action on July 9. 

Where is the World Cup being held in Boston?

Bostonians will know the FIFA matches are being held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, which has been rebranded as Boston Stadium for the duration of the World Cup. If you’re unfamiliar with the location, the stadium is the official home of the New England Patriots and adjacent to Patriot Place, a 1.3-million-square-foot open-air complex that’s home to 27-plus restaurants and bars, plus shopping and entertainment. On a good day with no traffic, it’s about a 40-minute drive from Logan Airport and most of Boston’s popular neighborhoods.

How can I get to Gillette Stadium?

About 22 miles (35 km) south of the city, everyone venturing to Boston Stadium will go via car or train—so you’re going to encounter the crowds and traffic however you decide to get there. If you’re planning to drive, parking passes are only available to purchase online for match ticket holders. Parking lots are a 5 to 10 minute walk away, and prices range from $175 for group-stage matches to $220 for Round of 32 games and $270 for the quarterfinals. Oversized parking ranges between $600 and $980.

In Boston, the excitement of a game usually begins on the public transportation to the venue—and FIFA is no exception! During the World Cup, the MBTA (known as the “T” to locals) will run a Boston Stadium train service that will take guests directly to and from Foxborough for $80 (must be purchased in advance). For each match, 14 trains will run express between South Station in Boston—accessible via the MBTA Red Line, Silver Line (SL1, SL2, SL3) and multiple Commuter Rail lines—and Foxboro Station, located next to the stadium. The ride is only an hour, and will be the only MBTA service traveling directly to the stadium on match days. 

Can I still get tickets?

Yes! Last-minute ticket sales are still being released on an ongoing basis until the end of the tournament, on a first-come-first-served basis. These tickets go extremely fast, but you can also try your luck on the resale marketplace. There’s also a select few tickets on StubHub from $200 upwards, depending on the game. 

Where should I stay in Boston?

If you’re here for a quick match and out the next day, there are plenty of hotels near Logan Airport to choose from. From here, the Silver line transfers directly from the airport to South Station (where you can catch the Boston Stadium train service). If you’d rather not risk delayed buses and traffic, the Intercontinental Boston is a four-minute walk to the station. 

Do you want to be in the action? If so, there is a Hilton Garden Inn and Renaissance Boston Hotel right in Patriot’s Place. As of now, June 22 to July 1 is sold out at Garden Inn, but there are a few nights available here and there for rates as low as $309. The Renaissance has a little more space, with rates ranging between $310 and $2,300. Other than the shops and restaurants, there’s not much else in the area, so it’s best suited if you prioritize convenience. 

For a stay just outside the city but still close to the action, the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square is a luxury option for those seeking a respite from Downtown Boston’s crowds. It’s within walking distance of several Cambridge fan zones, with easy Red Line access into the city.

What else should I do in Boston while visiting?

Following Newbury Street all the way to Boston Common is as iconic as it gets—especially in the summer, when the parks and streets are lined with blossoms and tulips. For a blend of history and Charles River views, head to the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, with the Cheers Bar just around the corner. For museums, the Isabella Gardner Museum, MFA and ICA are all great choices.

What’s the match schedule?

Saturday, June 13

🇭🇹 Haiti vs. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland at 9pm EST

Tuesday, June 16

🇮🇶 Iraq vs. 🇳🇴 Norway (playoff winner) at 6pm EST

Friday, June 19

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland vs. 🇲🇦 Morocco at 6pm EST

Tuesday, June 23

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. 🇬🇭 Ghana at 4pm EST

Friday, June 26

🇳🇴 Norway vs. 🇫🇷 France at 3pm EST

Monday, June 29

Round of 32: Group E winner vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place at 4:30pm EST

Thursday, July 9

Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (teams determined by prior knockout results at 4pm EST

Are there any official fan festivals or watch parties?

Though not quite as thrilling as the roar of the stadium, Boston will host a FIFA Fan Festival during the group stage matches from June 12 to 27 in the heart of Downtown. Free for all and located in City Hall Plaza, there will be a food and beverage program, football-themed activities and live match broadcasts. There will also be free, rotating fan zones around Cambridge, which can be found in Central Square (June 13), Harvard Square (June 16), Inman Square (June 19), MIT Open Space (June 23), Central Square (June 26), East Cambridge (June 29) and Cambridge Crossing (July 9). For Scots, the Haven will host a three-day festival from June 12 to14. As the city’s only Scottish bar, there will be match coverage, special guests and live entertainment for the Tartan army.

By Boston Real Estate Times -May 4, 2026

Cambridge, Mass. — Boutique hospitality brand Lark has officially opened its latest and flagship Greater Boston property, Cambridge Common House, bringing a carefully restored 16-room hotel experience to the heart of Harvard Square.

Located at 2 Garden Street on the edge of Harvard Square, Cambridge Common House blends historic architecture with refined, academic-inspired design. The property sits steps from Cambridge Common, a landmark public park known for its tree-lined paths, monuments, and deep historical roots dating back to its use as a military training ground during the Revolutionary era.

Housed in a building once home to the influential Howe family, Cambridge Common House carries nearly two centuries of Cambridge history within its walls. Over time, the structure has served as a gathering place for students, artists, and intellectuals, reflecting the city’s evolution from a post-colonial village into a global center of education, innovation, and civic life.

Today, many of the hotel’s rooms overlook Cambridge Common, reinforcing the property’s connection to the surrounding landscape and its layered past.

The interiors, designed by Newburyport-based Elder & Ash, emphasize a traditional yet elevated aesthetic. The design approach incorporates museum-quality finishes and fixtures, with textured wallpaper in classic stripes and botanical motifs throughout. A palette of deep greens, blues, neutrals, and jewel tones creates a polished but understated atmosphere intended to feel both worldly and intimate.

Architectural details of the original building have been carefully preserved and highlighted through rich woodwork and decorative mouldings. Many rooms feature working fireplaces, offering a warm contrast to Boston’s colder months.

Furniture selections reinforce the property’s historic character, including tufted Chesterfield chairs, mahogany canopy beds in select rooms, and built-in wraparound beds upholstered in deep crimson tones in the smallest accommodations. Floor-to-ceiling striped drapery frames each guest room entrance, designed to evoke the feeling of entering a private pied-à-terre.

While the overall design leans traditional, contemporary abstract artwork is placed throughout the property, introducing a subtle modern counterpoint to the historic setting.

By Olivia Typaldos May 4, 2026 11:00 am EST

Read More: https://www.islands.com/2161579/massachusetts-cambridge-common-house-charming-boutique-hotel-harvard-square-opens-2026/

Overlooking the Cambridge Common is a historic 19th-century home that’s been converted into a charming boutique hotel, combining modern amenities with quintessentially New England elements. Known as Cambridge Common House, the property is recognizable by its bright red door and once housed one of Cambridge’s most influential families. 

Built in 1835, this former eight-bedroom home was a popular hub for creatives and even served as the office for The Crimson, Harvard’s newspaper. Now, it can count “hotel” among its iterations, as it’s been transformed into a 16-room boutique stay just a five-minute walk from the trendy shops and food of lively and historic Harvard Square.

New England tones of browns, blues, and greens create a sense of coziness in this hotel that Condé Nast Traveler counted among the most exciting hotel openings of spring 2026. Additional elements like lovely garden patios (that luckily have grown back after being destroyed by a goat living there in the 1800s) and working fireplaces all make this “a fantastic boutique option worthy of the neighborhood,” according to Condé Nast Traveler. Permits to turn this space into accommodations were first granted in 2023, and after a few years of renovations, restorations, and additions to the rear of the building, Cambridge Common House opened in late April 2026. So, guests can now enjoy a sense of history in this peaceful retreat.

What to expect at Cambridge Common House

James Reed Photography

While most of the rooms at Cambridge Common House sleep two, there is a bigger option of a two-bedroom suite made up of two rooms that can fit five. Some have bay windows with views of Harvard and the Commons, and there’s one ADA-compliant room, the accessible queen with patio. All the rooms, designed by Elder & Ash, share the traditional Cambridge aesthetic of warm tones, wooden accents, and leather furniture pieces. The hotel offers a light complimentary breakfast in a common area for meals.

Since the hotel is more like a boutique lodging experience, it doesn’t have its own restaurant, but that’s easily forgotten thanks to its location in the historic heart of Cambridge. Walk just five minutes to Harvard Square, which is lined with eateries of various cuisines. There’s the iconic Harvard institution of Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, known for its classic American fare and snarky vibe, or the Hourly Oyster House, if you’re looking for a tasty New England seafood experience.

For shopping, Harvard Square hosts vintage stores like The Attic (where you can find good vibes and retro clothing) and historic places like the Harvard Book Store — an independent book store opened in 1932. And of course, there are the fall festivals and markets of the ivy-clad Harvard University, which borders the square and is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. 

While the Cambridge Common House doesn’t have on-site parking, the Harvard MBTA Red Line is also a five-minute walk away. You can easily get around via public transportation to experience places like Union Oyster House, one of America’s oldest and most renowned restaurants, which is about 30 minutes away via a combination of train travel and walking.