Questions surround potential taxpayer funding of Gillette Stadium improvements for World Cup

There is an ongoing conversation around whether taxpayers would “shoulder some of the costs” ahead of Gillette Stadium hosting matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Platoff & Nanos of the BOSTON GLOBE. According to draft documents, members of the World Cup Boston 2026 host committee indicated that $170M was needed for “such expenses as busing fans to Foxborough, improving the nearby commuter rail station, and replacing the stadium’s turf field with grass.” The committee in documents presented to city and state officials warned that if organizers “cannot raise enough money, whether from government funds or private donors, FIFA could take its games elsewhere.” Platoff & Nanos noted the documents show the stadium, which is owned and run by the Kraft Group, has “‘been clear that they are not willing or able to fund’ some of the necessary adaptations to the facility,” characterizing those changes as “‘temporary’ and offering ‘no legacy value.’” To meet FIFA requirements, the stadium “must cover or remove all advertising, and convert space for media, among other tasks.” A city spokesperson said Boston officials “strongly disagree with the Kraft family that Boston taxpayers should pay for stadium upgrades at Gillette.” The spokesperson added, “We are dismayed that the Krafts would threaten cancellation of Boston’s World Cup matches unless their demands for payment are met” (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/14).