The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just over two weeks away and Boston businesses are getting ready to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe.
“To have an event of that magnitude coming into Boston is really exciting,” said Hector Piña, co-owner of 3 Islas Group, the hospitality company behind Merengue Restaurant in Roxbury and other Massachusetts restaurants. “The restaurant owners, bar owners, everyone is really hopeful and waiting for those tourist visitors to come and spend their money with us and help the local economy.”
Merengue is among the many Boston businesses planning to extend their hours to welcome soccer fans looking for a place to watch world cup matches.
The city published a neighborhood guide listing businesses that plan to show World Cup matches, organized by team.
“We want to make sure that not only visitors are exploring Boston, but local residents as well,” said Aliesha Porcena, director of small business for the city. “It’s been a challenging time for small businesses, and so when there are opportunities like this, we want to make sure that they are taking advantage of them and making sure that people know about their business and frequent it.”
The world-famous World Cup trophy has arrived in Massachusetts ahead of the 2026 tournament, and you have a chance to see it yourself.
She says her office has been working to help business owners navigate guidelines for watch parties. Here are some key takeaways:
If a business typically shows sporting events on TV, it can show matches without a FIFA public viewing license.
It cannot charge an admission fee for a public viewing event.
It also cannot use FIFA World Cup 2026 branding or logos. Instead, it must use general soccer themes, national flags and team colors to promote the event.
Businesses can apply for approval to stay open later.
The latest alcohol-serving businesses can stay open in Boston is 2 a.m.
They don’t have to get permission to open earlier and can open doors as early as 8 a.m. from Monday through Saturday.
To open and serve early on Sundays, beginning at 10 a.m., businesses need to receive permission from the Boston Licensing Board.
Piña hopes fans who come for the World Cup leave with a taste of what Boston has to offer.
“Boston is a melting pot. We have people from all over the world,” said Piña. “I just want people to come explore the city, see what Boston is.”
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