Swampscott Scores Big with World Cup Watch Parties on the Lawn

As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Swampscott is inviting residents and visitors to gather on Town Hall Lawn for a series of free community watch parties featuring matches from the world’s most-watched sporting event.

The viewing parties are the result of a partnership among Swampscott, neighboring communities and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), which secured the public-viewing license from FIFA. The partnership will allow communities across the region to celebrate the tournament.

“We are grateful to MOTT and our municipal partners for helping make this opportunity possible,” said Charlotte Daher de García, Recreation Department director. “The World Cup is a global event, and these watch parties are a chance to bring our community together to celebrate the excitement, diversity, and spirit of the game.”

FIFA, which stands for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body of soccer and organizer of the FIFA World Cup. Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup is the world’s most-watched sporting event, drawing billions of viewers and bringing together teams and fans from across the globe.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 national teams competing across North America. More than 100 matches will be played in 16 host cities, including Boston. The month-long event will start on June 11 and conclude with the championship match on July 19.

Matches will be shown on a large outdoor screen on Town Hall Lawn. Food vendors will be available at select events, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

The initial Swampscott-viewing match schedule includes:

June 11, 3 p.m. – Mexico vs. South Africa
June 17, 3 p.m. – England vs. Croatia
June 19, 3 p.m. – USA vs. Australia
June 22, 1 p.m. – Argentina vs. Austria
June 26, 3 p.m. – France vs. Norway
June 27, 7 p.m. – Colombia vs. Portugal

Additional matches will be announced throughout the tournament. For updates and event information, follow Swampscott Recreation on social media or visit the town website.