NWSL’s Boston to play 1st season at Gillette

Boston Legacy FC, a 2026 NWSL growth franchise, will play its complete first season of house video games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, because of delays with the redevelopment of its proposed house stadium.

“With the 2026 NWSL season beginning in 10 months, Boston Legacy FC will play its inaugural season at Gillette Stadium before the club moves into its permanent home at White Stadium in 2027,” a Boston Legacy spokesperson instructed ESPN in a observation on Wednesday.

“White Stadium construction is well underway, but construction will not be finished by March of 2026,” the observation persevered.

Gillette Stadium is the longtime house of MLS’ New England Revolution and the NFL’s New England Patriots. Gillette Stadium can even host seven FIFA Men’s World Cup video games subsequent summer season. The NWSL plans to play video games all over subsequent yr’s World Cup, commissioner Jessica Berman previously instructed ESPN.

Boston Legacy FC’s possession staff is renovating the dilapidated White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park as a part of a novel — and debatable — public-private partnership with Boston Public Schools.

White Stadium used to be at the beginning intended to re-open via March 2026, when the NWSL most often starts its common season, nevertheless it has confronted a number of setbacks, together with an ongoing lawsuit from an area conservancy staff to forestall the undertaking. Demolition of the outdated constructions started previous this yr.

The Boston Globe reported on Wednesday that “the soonest” the sector at White Stadium will likely be entire is “the middle of next summer,” and that Boston Legacy FC determined towards creating a midseason venue transfer in its inaugural marketing campaign.

The shift to enjoying at Gillette Stadium, a 65,000-seat venue with synthetic turf this is basically applied for American soccer, is some other setback for the Boston franchise at the beginning licensed as an NWSL growth group in early 2023.

Earlier this yr, the gang introduced it used to be converting its identify to Boston Legacy FC. The group at the beginning introduced itself as “BOS Nation FC” final October. The identify, and the accompanying advertising and marketing marketing campaign titled “Too Many Balls,” used to be extensively criticized.

Boston used to be granted an NWSL growth group contingent upon the stadium renovation coming to fruition, resources prior to now instructed ESPN.

“Expansion is our opportunity to shape the future of the league and to set up not only the contractual requirements for those clubs, but also the league’s oversight of ensuring that particular deadlines are met,” Berman mentioned about Boston in March when requested if White Stadium could be able. “We have been and are continuing to work very closely and in partnership with the ownership group in Boston.”

Berman and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have lauded the partnership between town and the NWSL group as a type for different towns to apply.

The value of the undertaking has just about doubled from its unique estimate, to over $200 million. Boston Legacy, led via foremost proprietor Jennifer Epstein — whose circle of relatives are longtime co-owners of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, which is within the strategy of being offered — is chargeable for part the renovations and prices.

Boston Public Schools athletics gets precedence in scheduling occasions on the stadium. Boston Legacy FC will likely be allowed to make use of the stadium for as much as 20 video games according to yr, with sure restrictions across the frequency of video games.

Gillette Stadium is owned via the Kraft Group, which owns the Revolution and the Patriots.

Josh Kraft, the son of Kraft Group CEO and chairman Robert Kraft, is operating for mayor of Boston towards Wu. The White Stadium undertaking has been a supply of public competition between Josh Kraft and Wu.

The Krafts are making an attempt to construct their very own football stadium in Everett, simply around the river from Boston’s Charlestown community.

A spokesperson for Kraft Sports and Entertainment issued the next observation to ESPN:

“Gillette Stadium is pleased to welcome Boston Legacy FC for its inaugural season in 2026. After being approached by the club, Gillette Stadium was proud to support the team and provide a world-class venue for Boston Legacy FC and its fans in order to promote the advancement of women’s professional soccer in New England.

“Gillette Stadium and the New England Revolution look ahead to sharing the sector with Boston Legacy FC as we upload to our lengthy historical past of internet hosting premier football occasions.”