Home Economy Economic Activity Providence’s World Cup festivities begin with opening of PVD FanZone

Providence’s World Cup festivities begin with opening of PVD FanZone

By

Matthew McNulty

-

06/11/2026

fanzone world cup — FROM LEFT, Rhode Island Summer of Soccer Executive Director Liz Tanner, Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism Director Joe Wilson Jr., Treasurer James Diossa, Gov. Daniel J. McKee and Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley kick off a 39-day World Cup celebration with the opening of the PVD FanZone Thursday. / PBN PHOTO / MATTHEW McNULTY

PROVIDENCE – City and state leaders officially opened the PVD FanZone Thursday, kicking off a 39-day celebration of the world’s biggest sporting event. The free attraction at Station Park will run through July 19. It will feature broadcasts of every FIFA World Cup match on a giant video screen, live music, cultural programming, food trucks,

Already a Subscriber? Log in

To Continue Reading This Article

Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
1 year of print (26 issues).
Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
Free email alerts.
Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
All special issues produced during subscription term.

Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article

PBN Branded Content

Building Wealth in Real Estate Starts With Seeing Future Location

By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Private Office Advisor, Engel & Volkers Oceanside www.DiSpiritoteam.com…

Learn More

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

PROVIDENCE – City and state leaders officially opened the PVD FanZone Thursday, kicking off a 39-day celebration of the world's biggest sporting event.

The free attraction at Station Park will run through July 19. It will feature broadcasts of every FIFA World Cup match on a giant video screen, live music, cultural programming, food trucks, interactive games and a beer, wine and spirits garden.

Providence is one of only a limited number of non-host cities nationwide to receive an official FIFA-sanctioned World Cup FanZone.

“This is an exciting moment for Providence and Rhode Island,” Mayor Brett P. Smiley said at a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday. “The FanZone brings residents and visitors together to celebrate the world’s game while showcasing everything that makes Providence special.”

Officials said they expect the FanZone to draw thousands of visitors throughout the tournament, including international fans traveling to New England for matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Gov. Daniel J. McKee said the FanZone highlights Rhode Island’s hospitality and called the state “the place to be this summer.”

R.I. Treasurer James Diossa, co-chair of Rhode Island Summer of Soccer, said the tournament provides an opportunity to showcase “Rhode Island’s vibrant communities and world-class hospitality.”

The state contributed $500,000 through R.I. Commerce Corp. to support World Cup programming.

Sponsors and partners for the PVD FanZone include FIFA World Cup Boston 26, Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, Telemundo, Raising Cane’s, PF Chang’s, the Providence Tourism Council, Rhode Island Summer of Soccer, and a range of local businesses, cultural organizations and international partners.

The FanZone opened Thursday with watch parties for Mexico vs. South Africa and South Korea vs. Czechia and will host additional cultural events throughout the tournament, including Team Ghana celebrations, the Portugal Futebol Experience and gatherings for supporters of Scotland, Canada, Germany and other nations.

Matthew McNulty is a PBN staff writer. He can be reached at McNulty@PBN.com or on X at @MattMcNultyNYC.