Chiefs,
With the completion of all seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, we can now reflect on what was truly one of the most significant public safety operations ever undertaken in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Over the course of 32 days and seven matches, law enforcement officers from across Massachusetts helped provide a safe and secure environment for more than 400,000 ticketed fans who attended matches in Foxborough. An estimated 82 million viewers watched domestically while approximately 2.4 billion followed the tournament worldwide. Supporting an event of this magnitude required the coordinated efforts of nearly 3,000 public safety personnel representing almost 60 law enforcement agencies from across the Commonwealth.
As many of you know, while FIFA referred to the venue as Boston Stadium, the responsibility for public safety operations rested with the Foxborough Police Department. From the outset, we recognized that success would only be possible through strong partnerships, mutual aid, and a collective commitment to a shared mission. What unfolded over the course of this tournament exceeded even the highest expectations.
This historic accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of our law enforcement partners from Abington, Ashland, Attleboro, Barnstable, Bellingham, Berlin, Berkley, Boxborough, Bourne, Braintree, Brandeis University Police, Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University Police, Canton, Carver, Charlton, Chicopee, Cohasset, Dedham, Dighton, Dover, Dudley, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Eastham, Easton, Fairhaven, Framingham, Franklin, Freetown, Greenfield, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Harwich, Hingham, Holbrook, Holden, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Littleton, Mansfield, Marlborough, Marshfield, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts National Guard, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Medway, Millbury, Millis, Milton, Montague, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Northborough, Northbridge, Norton, Norwood, Plainville, Plympton, Plymouth, Quincy, Randolph, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Seekonk, Sharon, Sherborn, Somerset, Southbridge, Stoughton, Sturbridge, Stow, Sudbury, Taunton, UMass Boston Police, United State Coast Guard, Uxbridge, Wales, Walpole, Warren, Wayland, Wellesley, West Bridgewater, Westwood, Weymouth, Whitman, Wrentham, and Yarmouth Police Departments; the Massachusetts State Police; MBTA Transit Police; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Norfolk County, Plymouth County, and Worcester County Sheriff’s Offices; the South East Massachusetts Regional 911 District; METRO-LEC, NEM-LEC, CEM-LEC, the Hampden County Law Enforcement Council; numerous Bike Units, K-9 Teams, SWAT Teams; and the many state, federal, military, and public safety partners whose contributions were essential to mission success.
The World Cup was an overwhelming success because of the relationships that were built, the challenges that were solved in real time, and the willingness of officers from dozens of agencies to work together as one team. Throughout all seven matches, your officers represented their departments and our profession with exceptional professionalism, patience, humility, and dedication. They worked seamlessly alongside local, state, federal, military, stadium, FIFA, and international partners, helping demonstrate why Massachusetts is recognized as a leader in public safety and why Boston Stadium has become the gold standard for large-scale security operations.
Perhaps most importantly, this tournament showcased the very best of policing in Massachusetts to the world. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the globe experienced firsthand the professionalism, courtesy, compassion, and service-oriented approach that define law enforcement in our Commonwealth. Many arrived with little understanding of policing in Massachusetts. What they witnessed were officers who were welcoming, approachable, professional, and committed to service. The positive feedback received from spectators, event officials, and international partners was a direct reflection of the men and women who stood shoulder to shoulder throughout this mission.
This event demonstrated what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies set aside jurisdictional boundaries and unite behind a common purpose. The level of cooperation among municipal police departments, law enforcement councils, sheriffs’ offices, state agencies, federal partners, dispatch professionals, and specialized units was extraordinary. Together, we showed the world how law enforcement in Massachusetts supports one another, adapts to challenges, and delivers professional public safety services at the highest level.
When the history of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is written, it will remember the matches played in Foxborough. More importantly, it should remember the unprecedented collaboration among Massachusetts law enforcement agencies that made those matches safe, successful, and welcoming visitors from every corner of the globe. The world was watching, and we demonstrated exactly what excellence in public safety looks like.
On behalf of the Foxborough Police Department and the Town of Foxborough, thank you for your partnership, your professionalism, and your unwavering commitment to this mission. It was truly an honor to stand alongside all of you as we successfully completed one of the largest and most complex public safety operations ever conducted in our Commonwealth.
Respectfully,
Michael A. Grace
Chief of Police
Foxborough Police Department
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Venue Incident Commander