Teams, tales and tips – a football fan's guide to Boston
The British are coming to Boston this summer, nearly 250 years after Paul Revere didn’t say these famous words when he rode out for Lexington to sound the alarm. As America prepares to mark the Semiquincentennial anniversary of its independence, the Tartan Army and hordes of England supporters will be descending on the home of baked beans for three group games.
Except that these games aren’t taking place in New England’s sporting metropolis, but 25 miles away in Foxborough, where locally born billionaire businessman Robert Kraft built Gillette Stadium and surrounding retail complex Patriot Place in the early 2000s.
Which would be fine under normal circumstances, when $8.75 would cover the hour-long train journey south-west. But the World Cup isn’t normal circumstances, and so Boston transport authority MBTA has seen fit that a round trip should cost $80 – unless you’re taking the Stadium Express Bus Service from several hotels, in which case it’s $95.
Which is a shame because most leave Boston with an extremely favourable impression of this historic, welcoming city. Sport plays a big part in this, fabled baseball stadium Fenway Park and the former Boston, now TD, Garden integral to America’s urban heritage.
As for soccer, NASL’s Boston Minutemen sank as quickly as a tea chest and MLS charter team New England Revolution have hardly challenged the local hegemony of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins.
Uniquely, their stadiums are privately owned, adding to the sense of independence and urban pride, particularly if teams from New York happen to be involved. Funding and ownership recently became an issue in the city’s mayoral elections of 2025, when the long-awaited reconstruction of White Stadium, a landmark dating back to the 1940s.
Earmarked for Boston women’s soccer team, the proposed project was challenged by Josh Kraft – son of Robert – whose family business was seeking to build its own soccer-specific stadium at a nearby location. Such is the popularity of incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu that she won the vote unopposed, and NWSL team Boston Legacy will move into White Stadium in 2027.
For the time being, the Greens will play at Gillette Stadium, the house that Kraft built, and stage for seven World Cup games this summer, including a quarter-final.
As a footnote, Boston – or rather, Foxborough – was where Maradona played his last World Cup match, against Nigeria in 1994, and USMNT beat England 2-0 in 1993, a warm-up for a tournament the visitors failed to attend.
Downtown City Hall Plaza hosts the Fan Fest June 12 through 27, free to enter but registration required.
Getting here
Arriving in town and city transport
Logan Airport is ten miles (16km) east of Downtown Boston. A free Silver Line bus (SL1) runs from each of the airport’s four terminals every 8-15mins to South Station (20-30min journey time) – follow the signs for Ground Transportation. Boston Logan Airport Cab (+1 617-420-5888) should charge around $30 to South Station (10-15mins) and $100 to Gillette Stadium 30 miles (48km) away in Foxborough (45min journey time), although surge pricing on match days could double this.
From South Station, MBTA trains run to Foxboro Station alongside the stadium, $80 round-trip via the MBTA app. Only those with same-day match tickets can use the service – regular rail links run on non-match days. Boston Stadium Express buses run from 100 hotels in the Boston area, roundtrip for same-day match-ticket holders $95. Rideshare services drop off and pick up at Lot 16 – this is not available for private vehicles. Booked parking nearby via JustPark starts at $175.
MBTA runs a subway and bus network (one-way $2.40/$1.70), pay contactless or top up a free CharlieCard (min $5). Single-use CharlieTickets https://www.mbta.com/fares ($2.90/$2) are also available from machines. Use the MBTA app for Commuter Rail and ferries.
For a local taxi, call +1 617-268-1313 or download the app.
Where to Drink
The best pubs and bars for football fans
Plenty of pubs and sports bars cluster around Boston’s historic centre, a testament to the city’s Irish legacy and sense of heritage, some quaint taverns claiming to date back to the time of Revolution.
Boston’s top spot for soccer followers, The Greatest Bar at 262 Friend St is currently ordering as much beer that it can stock, this being the official HQ of the Tartan Army in Boston. Four floors encompass wall to wall HD screens and a history of local sports, music and politics, such as the revered figures and memorable moments on the Sistine ceiling on the first floor. Absolutely unique and open until 2am nightly.
Nearby Banners (82 Causeway St) also hits big with its 60 screens, including the biggest in the region at 40 feet, one wall of televised action stretching over two floors. Steeped in local sporting lore – its Blades & Boards area echoes the club patronised by supporters going to Boston Garden for Bruins and Celtics games back in the 1970s – Banners remains the official restaurant for local hockey followers.
Whichever sport you’re invested in, watch parties are helped along by 30 rotating beer taps, poured and presented by lovely staff. The only downside is its early closing hours, either 10pm or 11pm, although these can be stretched for particular sports events.
With a history dating back to the 1700s, The Point Boston sits across from Haymarket Station, filling an atmospheric bar room at the end of a narrow heritage building. Much of the chatter comes from tourists, however, rather than rabid local sports fans, although it’s a pleasant enough spot for a Boston lager or Sam Adams seasonal brew.
More on the stylish, gastro side, Warehouse Kitchen & Sports Bar in the Financial District is pulling out all the stops for the World Cup, showing every match live with audio commentary and extending its opening hours where need be. With a serious selection of tap beers and match-day martinis, plus a welcoming staff and more than a decade of hospitality experience, this smart establishment would be a decent choice this summer.
Leaning more towards the dive bar and karaoke crowd, SideBar also appeals to those who love arcade games and a nice, long shiny bar counter to prop up. There are enough screens to mean you’re always close to one and few surprises on the menu. Open until 2am and convenient for the Downtown Crossing shopping district and subway station of the same name, a major transport hub.
If you do make it a late one, for a quality coffee the morning after, Caffe dello Sport on Hanover Street shows soccer and sells alcohol – as well as quality panini and confectionery from early in the morning.
