Home Economy Ocean State 2026 seeking proposals for special events during World Cup

Ocean State 2026 seeking proposals for special events during World Cup

By

Christopher Allen

-

09/18/2025

Food-Truck-Festival — THE NONPROFIT OCEAN STATE 2026 is seeking organizations to put on public events during the FIFA World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium next summer. Pictured is a food truck festival in New Bedford. / COURTESY FOOD TRUCK FESTIVALS OF AMERICA

PROVIDENCE – The nonprofit Ocean State 2026 is now accepting applications for grants from organizations interested in running soccer-related or cultural events over the 39 days that FIFA World Cup matches will be held next summer at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. With seven international soccer matches scheduled to take place at Gillette from June

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PROVIDENCE – The nonprofit Ocean State 2026 is now accepting applications for grants from organizations interested in running soccer-related or cultural events over the 39 days that FIFA World Cup matches will be held next summer at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. With seven international soccer matches scheduled to take place at Gillette from June 13 to July 9, 2026, the “Rhode Island Summer of Soccer" initiative is designed to capitalize on what is now estimated to be as many as 1 million visitors to the region by highlighting the state's "recreational, cultural and natural resources," according to a Sept. 17 press release. Examples include “cultural festivals, public films, artistic performances, soccer clinics or tournaments or food-related events," according to the application. State officials said they anticipate more than 400,000 visitors traveling through the Providence-metro area. In a statement, Ocean State 2026 chairperson and R.I. General Treasurer James A. Diossa said “We are creating a celebration of Rhode Island." “We want to recognize all Rhode Islanders who embrace the sport of soccer and feature their food, their art, and their cultural traditions," he said. Open to any nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, municipalities, business cooperatives, and tourism regions authorized to operate in Rhode Island, the number and scale of the grants will be dependent on available funds. Requests can range from $1,000 to $50,000 for individual applications while those representing multiple organizations or municipalities will be eligible for up to $500,000. Initial proposals must be submitted by Oct. 5 and recipients will be announced in March 2026. Led by former R.I. Secretary of Commerce Elizabeth M. Tanner, the nonprofit has been working with local agencies, chambers of commerce, and tourism bureaus to secure sponsorship deals. Spokesperson Grace Voll on Wednesday said that no private or public funds have been secured to date but early discussions with potential sponsors have been “extremely promising.” The nonprofit is aiming to raise a minimum of $500,000 toward the initiative “but hope to raise more,” said Voll. Chris Allen is a PBN Staff Writer. You may reach him at Allen@pbn.com.