Above, a rendering of the City Hall Fan Festival that will run from June 12-27.
City officials announced six official World Cup soccer community watch parties this week, including one at Dorchester’s Town Field on Monday, June 15 featuring Cabo Verde vs. Spain.
The six, free watch parties are for residents, families, and visitors and sanctioned by the city in conjunction with the FIFA Fan Festival hosted by Boston 26 on City Hall plaza. The neighborhood celebrations look to bring the downtown excitement of the World Cup directly to the communities.
The City is able to host various watch parties after receiving official approval from FOX on FIFA World Cup 2026 Public Viewing Event applications. The selected matches reflect communities with strong cultural ties and large diasporas across Boston, including Cabo Verdean, Haitian, Colombian, Brazilian and Portuguese communities.
“Boston is proud to welcome the world this summer, and these watch parties will help bring the excitement and spirit of the World Cup directly into our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These free, family-friendly events give residents throughout our neighborhoods the chance to celebrate the games close to home—cheering together, sharing cultures, and being part of a historic moment for our City.”
The Cabo Verde game in Town Field at 1 p.m. on June 15 is particularly appropriate as it is adjacent to the Cape Verdean community largely based in Bowdoin/Geneva and Fields Corner.
“This is a great initiative and way to bring people together for what is truly a historic moment,” said Paulo DeBarros, president of the Cape Verdean Association of Boston (CVAB) headquartered on Bowdoin Street. “Cabo Verde’s arrival on the World Cup stage not only speaks to excellence in sports, but it is also a symbol of all we have overcome in this world to keep on making progress.”
The Cabo Verde National team qualified for the World Cup in October 2025 for the first time ever, and while they play no games at the Boston venue, they will have plenty of support at Dorchester’s watch party.
A second, unrelated watch party – Dorchester Watchfest – is taking place on Sunday, June 21, at the Dot Tire Sunday Funday, where three games will be shown, including the Cabo Verde vs. Uruguay game at 6 p.m.
Another official city watch party will feature the widely celebrated Haitian National team facing Brazil on June 19, at 9 p.m. That event will take place downtown on the Boston Common near the Parkman Bandstand.
“These watch parties will create joyful, welcoming spaces where families, residents, and visitors from every background can experience the excitement of the World Cup together,” said Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune. “In a city as diverse and vibrant as Boston, it’s important that the energy and opportunities surrounding this global event are felt not only downtown, but in every neighborhood across our city.”
Each watch party will feature a large viewing screen, live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, food vendors, and community programming for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Other watch parties citywide include Colombia vs. Portugal on Sat., June 27, at 7:30 p.m. in East Boston Memorial Stadium, and three games with competitors and locations TBA – July 14, at 3 p.m., July 15 at 3 p.m., and July 19 at 3 p.m. (FIFA World Cup Final).
The official Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza will open daily from June 12-27.
For more details on the FIFA Fan Festival™, please visit the official FIFA World Cup 2026 website or the Boston 26 website.
