Providence and RI Make Their Pitch for a Fun Summer of Soccer – It Begins!

Summer of Soccer

Mexico wins over South Africa – 2 to 0 – in Mexico Thursday!

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In Providence, the PVD FanZone opened at Station Park, an officially designated FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone. It runs from June 11 through July 19. The area is a free event series featuring live broadcasts of every FIFA World Cup 2026 match on a giant video screen, along with live entertainment, cultural programming, food trucks, interactive games and a beer, wine and spirits garden.

There will be Team Ghana welcome events, Team Germany, Canada and Scotland Fan Zone takeovers, a Portugal Futebol Experience and special programming connected to major citywide events. The FanZone will remain open on match days throughout the tournament, culminating with watch parties for the semifinal matches, third-place match and FIFA World Cup 2026 Final on July 19.

Daily schedules, entertainment listings and visitor information are available at PVDFanZone.com.

Located between Providence Place Mall and the Providence Amtrak/MBTA station, the FanZone is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the globe while showcasing Providence’s arts, culture, restaurants and hospitality. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use public transportation when possible.

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Fun Things to Do

The Tartan Army is HERE!

Have you seen our visitors in kilts?  There are estimated to be over 1,000 staying in Providence.

With Scotland taking the pitch Saturday night against Haiti, Rhode Islanders may want to brush up on a few Scottish and soccer terms before the Tartan Army arrives in full voice. We’ll have a fun guide to Scottish words, fan phrases and football terms on Saturday – along with all the events they have planned! Coming up on Saturday. Until then…

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Soccer Ball “Score the Perfect Selfie”

The creative folks at Providence Place Mall have a huge soccer ball “Score the Perfect Selfie” with a giant 10 foot  Soccer Ball. So, if by intention or to get out of the hot sun or a sudden rain, be sure to visit Providence Place Mall where you are invited to snap a photo at the giant 10-foot soccer ball installation, a larger-than-life interactive experience located in Center Court.
Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan, visiting the nearby PVD Fan Zone, or simply looking for the perfect social media moment to show YOU WERE THERE!

The installation offers a unique way to celebrate the excitement of the summer soccer season. Guests are encouraged to tag @ExploreProvidencePlace on social media for a chance to be featured on Providence Place’s Instagram channels.

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And wait for it!  Boston is going for a Guinness World Record for the largest promotional ball – about 45 feet!

A Giant FIFA World Cup Soccer Ball Is Headed to Boston Harbor

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Ghana Black Stars at Track 15 Saturday

The June 13th event is a free one-hour panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring members of the 2026 Ghana Black Stars, legendary captains Asamoah Gyan and Stephen Appiah, and members of the coaching staff.

The Ghana team arrived on Thursday night at T F. Green International Airport

Guests will have the opportunity to hear firsthand stories from Ghanaian football figures, learn about their careers and experiences, and ask questions during the interactive Q&A.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

There are no guaranteed autographs or photo opportunities.

Player participation is subject to team schedules and availability.

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This replaces the original meet-and-greet event, which did require a ticket.

The panel will take place Saturday, June 13th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Track 15, located at 1 Union Station in Providence.

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It was a PUPPY Bowl on Thursday!

The PPM has a new creative hat on – that much is clear as they hosted a Puppy Bowl on ribbon cutting day for the PVDFanZone field at their front door on Thursday. More than 12+ adoptable puppies from Hotel for Homeless Dogs took the field for a playful “soccer match.” The pups wore Haiti and Scotland bandanas to replicate the Haiti vs Scotland match on Saturday night. The puppies recently arrived from overcrowded southern shelters where they faced limited adoption opportunities due to lack of space.

Guests met the puppies, learned about adoption and fostering opportunities, and support for Hotel for Homeless Dogs through donations of new pet supplies and toys. Donations may also be made through the organization’s Amazon Wish List.

The Hotel for Homeless Dogs is a family-run, boutique-style dog rescue located in Cumberland, Rhode Island, featuring a 5-star facility designed to provide comfort, safety, and personalized care for every dog. Dedicated to saving dogs from overcrowded shelters and unsafe situations both locally and across the South, The Hotel gives each dog a safe place to land while preparing them for loving forever homes. Through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and community support, The Hotel helps dogs transition from hardship to a brighter future with compassion and style.

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You can see it from here! Giant World Cup Soccer Ball

The one-of-a-kind, 45 foot tall soccer ball is at Piers Park II in East Boston and will be visible from multiple points along Boston Harbor and even from certain parts of Route 93N.

The current Guinness World Records mark is 38 feet, 11.8 inches, set in Doha, Qatar in 2013.

Read more about it courtesy Caught in Eastie: https://caughtineastie.com/news-politics/massport-to-attempt-guinness-world-records-title-for-worlds-largest-soccer-ball-on-east-boston-waterfront/ 

In addition to the weeklong display, Massport is hosting a community celebration at Piers Park II on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 4 p.m., featuring family activities, games, and entertainment. World Cup matches will not be televised. The soccer ball showcase and community event are presented by Massport in partnership with HNTB and other sponsors.

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Expanded Waterfire – or as tourists say, Fire Water!

WaterFire Providence announced an additional basin lighting event in June, on Monday, June 22 to celebrate the international match between Ghana and England, taking place at Boston Stadium on June 23rd.

The first event in the June lighting series will take place on Friday, June 12, in Waterplace Basin and is supported by the Rhode Island Sports Commission. Celebrating the Summer of Soccer in Rhode Island, the evening will feature a torch and flag procession led by a bagpiper traveling with the Tartan Army and joined by members of local youth soccer organizations. The Rhode Island Fire Pipe and Drum Band will also be performing on the Basin Stage as part of the lighting ceremony. Programming will begin at 7:00 PM, with the WaterFire braziers illuminated shortly after 8:30 PM and burning until 10:00 PM. The House of Portugal will also be open during the event, while the PVD Fan Zone in Station Park will stream the USA vs. Paraguay match beginning at 9:00 PM.

On Thursday, June 18, WaterFire will host a partial lighting in the RISD and Memorial Park sections of the river. Supported by the Providence Tourism Council, the event will celebrate Juneteenth while also serving as a kickoff to Rhode Island Pride Weekend. Programming will begin at 7:00 PM with local vendors along College Street and community organizations representing LGBTQIA+ and POC communities in Market Square. In Memorial Park, visitors can experience the return of Starry, Starry Night, the Holocaust Memorial, and the iconic WaterFire Phone Booth installation. Live music will begin at 7:30 PM on College Street with performances by Quarter Water Band. The fires will be lit shortly after 8:30 PM, and the event will conclude at 11:00 PM.

The June lighting series will conclude on Monday, June 22, with a Basin lighting presented by GoProvidence to welcome the Ghana and England World Cup teams to Providence. Programming in Waterplace Basin will begin at 7:30 PM, with the fires illuminated at 8:40 PM and burning until 11:00 PM. The evening will feature a ceremonial torch procession led by delegates from both Ghana and England, building excitement and celebrating the international spirit of the FIFA World Cup ahead of the teams’ match at Boston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23.

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Rhode Island Came in First in Pizza Delivery for Soccer Games

With the World Cup coming to the US this summer, pizza delivery demand was tracked across eight major soccer events in 2025 and ranked all 50 states.

– Rhode Island came first — scoring nearly double New York and more than double California

– The morning after a match, it climbed even higher — the strongest post-game score in the entire country

– This is Federal Hill country — strip pizza, communal tables, food built for watching sport with a room full of people. The Italian-American community here made pizza a match day ritual long before the World Cup arrived

The occasion doesn’t end at the final whistle in Rhode Island. The World Cup just made it official!

We Cook! The Tiniest State has the Biggest Pizza Appetite for the World Cup (of course!)

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Are you a Summer of Soccer Volunteer? Planet Fitness as This for YOU!

PLANET FITNESS is offering complimentary Black Card Spa Access for Global Soccer Match Volunteers

Planet Fitness is recognizing the efforts of local community volunteers supporting the global soccer matches taking place at Boston Stadium by offering complimentary access to its PF Black Card Spa® amenities for a limited time.

From June 13 through July 9 – coinciding with the global soccer matches being held in Boston – eligible volunteers will receive free access to select Planet Fitness Black Card Spa® facilities, along with one guest, as a token of appreciation for their community service during this iconic event.

Eligible volunteers may access participating clubs during this period by checking in at the front desk:

• Volunteers must present a Global Soccer Volunteer credential and a valid government-issued photo ID

• Guests must present a valid government-issued photo ID

• Eligible access includes one guest per volunteer and full Black Card Zone® access (excluding tanning services)

This initiative reflects Planet Fitness’ ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and major cultural events, while providing a welcoming, judgement-free environment for all.

*Offer valid only during the period in which global soccer matches are being played in Boston

Offer valid at all participating Planet Fitness locations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, excluding the following locations: Massachusetts: Boston (Downtown Crossing), Chelsea, Milford, Malden, Mattapan, and Woburn and New Hampshire: Concord and Raymond

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Tips for the World Cup in U.S. summer heat 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being played across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with matches in venues such as Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles during some of those cities’ hottest months. 

Those who are traveling to the U.S. should be aware that the body can take 10 to 14 days to adapt to heat. Pushing hard on the first hot day of your arrival, or arriving from a cooler climate and immediately exerting yourself, can significantly raise your risk of experiencing a heat-related illness. 

Athletes should try to reduce heat-related risks by training at the same time of day as competition, using pre-cooling strategies such as ice vests or crushed-ice drinks before kick-off, and following personalized hydration plans based on sweat-rate testing rather than thirst alone. Coaches should also use cooling breaks and learn to recognize symptoms such as cramping, confusion, disorientation, or a lack of sweating that may indicate heat illness rather than normal fatigue.  

Conditions should be assessed using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which is the most accurate measure of heat stress because it accounts for humidity and radiant heat as well as air temperature. 

Fans should be aware that being in the crowd itself will generate more heat than normal. For those attending the games, check the heat index and be aware of humidity levels. Remember to eat before you go, and bring more water than you think you will need. Wear light colors, but if your team’s jersey is dark, wear a lighter underlayer.  

Other tips include wetting your wrists and neck with cool water, alternating your alcoholic drinks with a full glass of water, and locating the first aid tent upon arrival.Check on those around you, especially elderly fans and children. Watch for the quiet signs. Someone who has gone quiet, stopped engaging with the game, or is sitting very still when they were previously animated may be experiencing early heat exhaustion rather than just tiredness.

https://cprfirstaid.com.au/first-aid-training-locations/first-aid-course-melbourne/

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Who’s Watching??

The Emerson College Poll says this!

 

 

The Harris Poll says this! 

As the tournament kicks off the study finds that half of Americans plan to watch at least one match on TV, streaming, or social media over the next 39 days.

The report also reveals that more than 1 in 4 Americans say they have only recently become more interested in soccer because of the upcoming World Cup, with millennials, Hispanic Americans, and hybrid workers driving much of the surge in interest.

Additional findings include:

• 52% of Americans say hosting major international sporting events in North America is making them more interested in sports they would not normally follow
  • 51% say they have noticed brands sponsoring or advertising around the World Cup
  • 50% say they hope their favorite brands get involved with the tournament in some way

“The 2026 World Cup is doing something our data rarely captures in real time: converting passive observers into active fans,” said Jennifer Musil, Global Head of Research at The Harris Poll. “More than 1 in 4 Americans say they’re newly interested in soccer specifically because of this tournament. That’s not just a sports story – it’s a signal about how major cultural moments reshape consumer behavior.”

The Harris Poll surveyed 2,148 U.S. adults in May 2026.

You can read the entire poll results HERE:

TheHarrisPoll_2026WorldCupReport

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