Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
MEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) —The good news for local soccer fans is Foxboro Stadium will be one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The bad news is the exorbitant cost.
The cheapest ticket packages start at more than $5,000.
Next year's World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
It will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups with a total of 104 matches.
The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Seven of the games will be played at Gillette, re-branded for the tournament as Boston Stadium.
Most soccer fans were making clear that while they were thrilled the games will be held here in Massachusetts, the cost of attending is out of reach. "Five thousand dollars!? I mean, I like soccer, but I wouldn't pay five thousand dollars," exclaimed one fan.
Another was critical of the tournament organizers for pricing out regular fans. "I think that's insanely high," he said. "First impressions, a little price-gouging from the World Cup."
This fan said he wanted to go to the games but not until he heard the cost. "I hope they come down because I would love to get tickets, but I don't see that happening anytime soon."
The most expensive ticket packages are going for almost $27,000, not a big shock to this fan who said the World Cup is a premiere event. "It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime-event, and people spend money on once-in-a-lifetime-events. I don't see why not if you're truly a die-hard."
The World Cup 2026 is being held June 11 - July 19 in 16 cities across three countries.
WBZ’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.