Administration awards $2 million for World Cup public safety

In late May and early June, the Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $2.05 million in grant funding to support municipal public safety needs associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and community watch parties.

The awards are the second and third rounds of funding provided through the Sports and Entertainment Events Fund grant program.

In March, 17 communities received a total of $10 million to support public watch parties and fan celebrations.

The second round of grants — nearly $1.8 million announced on May 27 — went to host communities for public safety services at World Cup-related activities, with amounts between $1.2 million and $30,000 awarded to Boston, Foxborough, Plainville, Waltham, Walpole, and Wrentham.

The third round of grants — $283,000 announced on June 4 — provide support for public safety needs associated with community watch parties, with amounts between $2,000 and $55,000 awarded to Brockton, Burlington, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, and Worcester, along with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, the MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau, and the Revolutionary Valley Regional Tourism Council.

For more information about the Sports and Entertainment Events grant program, visit the Office of Travel and Tourism website.