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Your Guide to the FIFA World Cup Summer in Providence

This summer, Providence has a front-row seat to the biggest sporting event in the world. The FIFA World Cup brings together soccer teams from across the globe, and billions of people tune in to watch. This year, the tournament is being held in the United States for the first time in 30 years, with seven matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, just 25 miles up the road. 

Providence is at the center of it all 

Providence has been named an official base camp for the tournament, meaning international teams and their fans are setting up right here in our city all summer long. Team Ghana is headquartered at Bryant University in Smithfield. Fans from Scotland, England, Portugal, and Germany are expected by the thousands. Even if you have never watched a soccer match in your life, the energy  is going to be hard to miss. 

The city will also host a special WaterFire lighting on June 22, the night before England plays Ghana at Gillette Stadium. If you have ever wanted to see WaterFire, this summer is the year to go.  

The PVD FanZone: a free party in your own backyard 

You don’t need a ticket to a match to feel the excitement. The PVD FanZone at Station Park in downtown Providence is the place to be during matches. It is free and open to the public, and includes: 

• A jumbotron broadcasting every game 

• Food trucks, beer and spirits gardens, and local vendors 

• Live music, DJs, and performances by local artists 

• Interactive games and activities 

• Easy access right along the Providence River, steps from the Riverwalk and downtown dining 

The Fan Zone is just a 10 minute10-minute bus ride (or 20 minute20-minute walk) from Charlesgate. Hop on the R, 72, 5, 54, or 58 to pop in for part of a game, grab something to eat, and celebrate with the crowd.  

Want to see a live match? 

For those who want the full stadium experience, dedicated “Boston Stadium Express” buses run from outside the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence to Gillette Stadium for about $95 round-trip. You need a valid match ticket to board the shuttle, and seats must be booked in advance. It is a good option for anyone who wants to go to a game without worrying about driving or parking.  

Keep the soccer going all summer long 

The World Cup is the headliner this summer, but soccer season doesn’t stop there. Rhode Island has its own professional team to cheer on. Rhode Island FC plays home games at Centreville Bank Stadium from March through October. Tickets are available game by game, and the atmosphere is lively and welcoming, even if you’ve never watched soccer before. 

If you want to catch some of the local soccer energy that makes Rhode Island special, you might also look for youth league games happening around the state this summer. The Rhode Island Sports Commission awarded $40,000 in grants to eight youth soccer organizations across the state to support tournaments and programs in June and July. Watching kids play in a local park is a simple, joyful way to cheer on a local team.  

Enjoy FIFA without leaving Charlesgate 

Prefer staying home? The World Cup is on TV and streaming, and watching a match with neighbors or family is one of the best ways to experience it. Games have real drama. There are upsets, penalty shootouts, and moments that make everyone in the room jump out of their seats. 

You might pick a team to root for together. Maybe it’s the U.S., maybe it’s a country your family has ties to, or maybe you just pick one with a great uniform. Following a team through the whole tournament, from the group stage to the final, gives you something to look forward to each week all the way through July. 

Be sure to check our activity calendar to see what’s happening at Charlesgate. 

However you choose to take part, this is a summer to remember.