r/providence • u/Immediate-Fortune-56 • 9h ago
News Rhode Island went all in on the World Cup. Many businesses think it paid off.
Rhode Island made a concerted effort to make the most of World Cup euphoria. It created a non-profit to help prepare for the tournament, and took advantage of the state’s proximity to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., to position Providence as an alternative to official host city Boston. A free trolley service from downtown Providence made it easier for fans to explore the area. And the Ghana Black Stars team chose Bryant University in Smithfield as its home base, bringing with them a wave of excitement as the tournament began.
Providence’s Fan Zone recorded approximately 125,000 visitors during the tournament, current estimates from the city show, and became the only official FIFA-sanctioned location in New England after Boston shut down its Fan Festival 16 days into the five week tournament, when the World Cup group matches were over.
“Our primary concern was getting people to Providence to watch the games, to enjoy the culture, and to spend some money while they’re here,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said in an interview. “What I’ve heard is that people came.”
Read more here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/22/metro/ri-providence-central-falls-world-cup-impact/