Boston's newest sports team is making a big change before they've even played a match. Boston Legacy FC will now play their entire first NWSL season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. This switch comes after construction delays at their planned permanent home, White 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 team spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday. The construction at White Stadium is moving forward but won't be ready in time for the March 2026 kickoff.
Gillette Stadium is already home to the New England Revolution (MLS) and New England Patriots (NFL). The massive 65,000-seat venue will also host seven FIFA Men's World Cup games next summer. For new NWSL fans planning to attend matches, this means a more accessible but less intimate setting than the renovated White Stadium would have provided.
White Stadium Renovation Challenges
The White Stadium project has faced several hurdles. What started as a $100 million renovation has now ballooned to over $200 million. A local conservancy group has also filed a lawsuit to stop the project, creating additional delays.
According to The Boston Globe, the field at White Stadium won't be ready until "the middle of next summer" at the earliest. Rather than switching venues mid-season, Boston Legacy decided to spend their entire first year at Gillette.
This public-private partnership between Boston Legacy FC and Boston Public Schools has been both praised and criticized. The team, led by principal owner Jennifer Epstein, is covering half the renovation costs. In return, they'll get to use the stadium for up to 20 games annually, while school athletics maintain scheduling priority.
For fans and bettors keeping an eye on the 2026 NWSL season, this venue change could impact home-field advantage expectations. Gillette Stadium's artificial turf and massive size may create a different playing environment than originally anticipated for the expansion club.
Political Football in Boston
The stadium situation has become entangled in local politics. Josh Kraft, son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is running for mayor against current Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The White Stadium project has become a point of contention between them.
Meanwhile, the Kraft family is working to build their own soccer stadium in Everett, just across the river from Boston. This creates an interesting dynamic where Boston Legacy FC will temporarily play in a stadium owned by a family pursuing their own soccer venue nearby.
Kraft Sports and Entertainment responded positively to the arrangement: "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 NWSL followers, this venue situation adds another layer of intrigue to Boston's expansion journey. The team already faced criticism earlier this year when they changed their name from the poorly-received "BOS Nation FC" to Boston Legacy FC.
