Capacity, location, fixtures and key information about Gillette Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Boston
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is set to be a vital hub for the 2026 World Cup, hosting seven matches in total. This prestigious lineup includes five group-stage fixtures and two significant knockout rounds: a Round of 32 clash and a quarter-final.
Following a major $250 million renovation completed recently, the venue now boasts world-class facilities and a modernized aesthetic.
To comply with FIFA’s commercial neutrality requirements, the ground traditionally known as Gillette Stadium will be officially referred to as ‘Boston Stadium‘ throughout the tournament.
Where is Gillette Stadium?
Gillette Stadium is located in Foxborough, roughly 35 kilometres southwest of downtown Boston and about 30 kilometres northeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
The stadium is the centrepiece of Patriot Place, a large-scale open-air centre featuring shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
For the World Cup, fans are strongly encouraged to use the MBTA Commuter Rail. Specialized “FIFA Express” trains will run directly from Boston’s South Station and Providence to Foxboro Station, which is situated immediately adjacent to the stadium.
How many seats does Gillette Stadium have?
Gillette Stadium has an official tournament capacity of approximately 65,000. One of the venue’s most striking new features is the 22-storey lighthouse in the north end zone, which stands as the tallest non-traditional lighthouse in the United States.
This structure includes the “Lookout” observation deck, offering 360-degree views of the New England landscape. Additionally, the recent renovations installed the largest outdoor curved-radius high-definition video board in North American sports, ensuring every fan has a perfect view of VAR decisions and replays.
Who plays at Gillette Stadium?
The stadium is the long-term home of the NFL’s New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.
It is a seasoned veteran of international tournaments, having previously hosted matches for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cups, and multiple editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América.
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Who owns Gillette Stadium?
Gillette Stadium is privately owned by the Kraft Group. The Kraft family has been instrumental in bringing the World Cup back to Massachusetts, funding the recent extensive renovations privately to ensure the venue meets the highest modern standards for international broadcasting and hospitality.
How many World Cup matches will be played at Gillette Stadium?
Gillette Stadium will host seven matches during the 2026 World Cup. This schedule is comprised of five group-stage games, one Round of 32 match, and a quarter-final.
Gillette Stadium World Cup 2026 fixtures (local, CET & UK time)
Times are listed as Local (ET) / CET / UK (BST).
Group Stage
- Haiti vs. Scotland
June 13 – 21:00 Local / 03:00 CET (June 14) / 02:00 UK (June 14) - Iraq vs. Norway
June 16 – 18:00 Local / 00:00 CET (June 17) / 23:00 UK - Scotland vs. Morocco
June 19 – 18:00 Local / 00:00 CET (June 20) / 23:00 UK - England vs. Ghana
June 23 – 16:00 Local / 22:00 CET / 21:00 UK - Norway vs. France
June 26 – 15:00 Local / 21:00 CET / 20:00 UK
Knockout Stage
- Round of 32: Winner Group E vs. 3rd Place Group A/B/C/D/F
June 29 – 16:30 Local / 22:30 CET / 21:30 UK
Quarter-final
- Winner Match 89 vs. Winner Match 90
July 9 – 16:00 Local / 22:00 CET / 21:00 UK
Why Gillette Stadium is a key World Cup venue?
Its location in Foxborough provides a stadium campus feel that is rare in the 2026 rotation, allowing fans to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere at Patriot Place. Furthermore, its history as a successful host for both men’s and women’s World Cups makes it one of the most operationally reliable sites in North America.
What is Gillette Stadium like inside?
The interior is defined by its open-air design and the massive new video board that spans the north end. For the 2026 tournament, the stadium will switch from its usual synthetic surface to a high-specification natural grass pitch, as required by FIFA.
The renovations also added the G-P Atrium and the Cross Insurance Club, providing thousands of square metres of premium glass-enclosed hospitality space for international guests.
How to get to Gillette Stadium
While the stadium is accessible via Route 1 and I-95, parking is strictly limited and must be pre-booked via the official app.
The most efficient route remains the MBTA trains, which are timed specifically for match kick-offs. Fans should note that tailgating, the American tradition of eating and drinking in the car park, is strictly prohibited for World Cup matches.
Gillette Stadium capacity compared to other World Cup stadiums
With a capacity of 65,000, Gillette Stadium is identical in size to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium and slightly smaller than the 69,000-seat venues in Philadelphia and Seattle.
While it does not match the 80,000+ capacities of New York or Dallas, its role in hosting a quarter-final confirms its status as a top-tier venue within the 2026 infrastructure.