Boston has been ranked the safest of the 16 cities staging this summer’s FIFA World Cup, just as the city’s tourism body launches an international campaign, ‘Welcome World’, aimed at drawing overseas visitors during a landmark season of events.
For UK business travellers the timing is helpful. Boston Logan is one of the most accessible US gateways from Britain, with direct services from London and Edinburgh, and firms sending staff across the Atlantic this summer, whether for meetings, client entertainment around the football or a bleisure extension, now have independent evidence on which host city carries the least risk.
The campaign, launched this month by Meet Boston, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, promotes Boston’s hospitality credentials and positions the city as a welcoming base not just for football fans but for anyone visiting during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
“We are so proud of this campaign and the message it conveys,” said Meet Boston President & CEO Martha J. Sheridan. “We have an amazing draw for the World Cup, perhaps the most compelling of all host cities if you look at search and booking data, and we want all to feel welcomed here for this historic summer, one like we’ve never experienced before. The central theme of this campaign is that Boston embraces all.”
Top of the safety table
Football Ground Guide recently applied its City Safety Index to all 16 FIFA World Cup host cities, ranking them from safest to most concerning. Boston took the highest overall score, with 60.1 points out of 100, almost double the score of the lowest-ranked city. The result puts it ahead of fellow North American hosts Vancouver and Toronto, and above every other US host destination.
That matters for SMEs with a duty of care to travelling employees. Risk assessments for major sporting events are increasingly standard practice, and the ranking gives travel bookers a straightforward reference point. The official gov.uk travel advice for the USA remains the first stop for entry requirements and safety guidance before any trip.
A summer that stretches well beyond the football
The city has assembled a packed programme around the tournament. Sail Boston will bring the largest-ever fleet of tall ships to Boston Harbor this July, while a series of new exhibitions across the city’s 23 neighbourhoods will explore the story of the United States through multicultural and multidisciplinary perspectives. On 4 July, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular features Grammy Award-winning artists including Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty.
At the centre of the campaign sits a one-minute film, also titled Welcome World, following hospitality workers, restaurateurs, tour guides, small business owners and local communities preparing to receive visitors from around the globe. It is set to a reimagined version of He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Details of the campaign and the city’s summer programme are available through Meet Boston.
Practicalities for UK visitors
Anyone planning a trip should factor in rising entry costs, with ESTA fees for US entry set to nearly double from $21 to $40. On accommodation, there is better news for corporate bookers, as serviced apartment rates in World Cup host cities have softened as demand patterns shift. For a fuller picture of what the tournament means on the ground, our guide to Boston as a 2026 World Cup host city covers venues, transport and where to base a working visit.
