February 18, 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will generate unprecedented economic activity across the Northeast, and Rhode Island businesses will feel its impact in meaningful ways.
An estimated 892,000 visitors are expected to stay in Rhode Island, with an additional 250,000–500,000 visitors possible depending on which team trains at Bryant University. Visitors are projected to spend approximately $331 million in Rhode Island next summer.
The seven matches in Foxborough are widely described as the equivalent of seven Super Bowls, with matches running from June 13 through July 9 and 48 teams competing across North America.
Although Rhode Island is not a host state, regional spillover from Foxborough—along with transit traffic to and from New York and Philadelphia—will affect businesses across sectors. Early awareness and coordinated preparation will be critical.
You are invited to participate in two RISBDC preparedness events:
Introductory Webinar (30 minutes)
A high-level virtual briefing outlining anticipated regional impacts and initial planning considerations
This half hour, introductory session will show you how The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be something your business can capitalize on. Games will be bringing approximately 800k international visitors to the Foxboro Area. As a secondary market, Rhode Island expects significant spillover due to the Boston area matches. This half an hour session is a preview of the in-person event on March 11th at Bryant University.
This session provides foundational awareness and a preview of RISBDC’s in-person Summer of Soccer Business Readiness Event on March 11, where businesses will receive more detailed tools and operational guidance.
Participants will learn about:
The World Cup 2026 timeline and Foxborough match schedule
Expected economic impact and potential spillover into Rhode Island
Global soccer culture and fan behavior
Why the World Cup is relevant across all business sectors
Common operational pressures during global-scale events
Speaker(s): Chelsea Brehm, RI SBDC Northern RI Regional Director
Maggie Longo, RI SBDC Consultant
For Additional Information:
Lead Office:
Kingston
University of Rhode Island
10 Tootell Rd.
Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: 401-874-SBDC (7232)
weekdays 8:30am – 4:00pm
Virtual