Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the back of a cave, you’ve heard by now that the World Cup is coming June 11 to July 19, 2026! While the seven matches will be held at Boston Stadium (temporarily renamed from Gillette Stadium) in Foxboro, MA, Rhode Island will be hosting fans in our cities. This is an exciting economic and cultural opportunity, but major events like this also change daily routines and introduce uncertainty and confusion. Let’s talk about enjoying the fun of the World Cup being right in your own backyard while also ensuring everyone’s safety.
Rhode Island Welcomes the World! Here’s How to Enjoy It Safely
Expect Different Traffic Than Normal
Providence has already announced some road closures, traffic pattern changes, and designated parking and rideshare pickup and drop-off locations. They’ve also announced changes to some bus routes. There may be additional changes as fans arrive in Rhode Island and events are taking place.
Residents should expect that there may be delays and detours and allow extra time to get to work, appointments, errands, and World Cup matches. They should also remain alert to drivers who are not from Rhode Island and may take sudden, unexpected actions. Some things to be aware of:
- Avoid making assumptions at green lights.
- Leave extra following distance.
- Expect sudden braking near exits and attractions.
- Use navigation before leaving, not while driving, and pull over if you need to change the navigation.
Plan Transportation Before You Go
Whether you plan to attend any matches or not, planning your transportation before you go is important. Many matches will coincide with regular weekday commuter traffic. Additionally, there are specific roads that must be used to access the stadium by car, and the regular weekday Commuter Rail service to Foxboro Station will not operate on match days.
Deciding your mode of transportation–car, train, or bus–early allows you to make any necessary ticket purchases and determine what time you need to leave to arrive at your destination on time despite the increased traffic.
If You’re Drinking, Decide Your Ride Home Before You Leave
For many, watching a soccer match and celebrating your team’s win is complemented with a few drinks. While there is nothing wrong with choosing to enjoy your favorite adult beverage, if you are doing so at a bar, restaurant, or other location outside of your home, deciding how to get home before you begin drinking is essential.
Whether you decide to stop after just one or two drinks to avoid being intoxicated, choose a designated driver from your party, or use a rideshare service like Uber, having a plan in place to ensure that no one drives under the influence is critical. You can check the Rob Levine Law app for more information about local rideshare options.
Watch for Visitors Who Don’t Know the Area
Fans from around the country and around the world will be in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for the World Cup. Many of them will be here for the very first time. They will be looking for their destinations and may miss traffic signals and signs or may follow the lead of others who take actions that could result in harm to themselves or others. Watch out for these visitors so you can take action to avoid trouble.
It can also help give these first-time visitors a better memory if you help them out. If you see someone who appears lost and confused, ask where they are going and offer directions. If you see or hear of a tourist heading to a part of town that is known for crime or other dangers, warn them and suggest safer locations they may enjoy.
Stay Alert as a Pedestrian
Whether you are simply walking through a parking lot or walking to a bus stop or train station, there will be a lot more motorists than usual. Some will be from out of town, and in their unfamiliarity with the area, may not pay attention to crosswalks, traffic signals or other indications of pedestrian traffic. Even locals may take unexpected actions because of increased traffic, including reacting to the actions of other drivers.
Stay alert when you’re a pedestrian. Even if you have the right of way or are walking in an area where there should not be any vehicles driving, remember to look in all directions before crossing streets. When possible, try to make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you. Use marked crossings even if roads appear clear. Expect rideshare pickup zones to be crowded.
Know What to Do if Something Goes Wrong
Everyone hopes to enjoy the World Cup without stress, delays, or injuries—but major events bring larger crowds, longer days, more time outdoors, and changes to normal routines. While many issues can be prevented with planning, not everything is within your control. Knowing what to do if something does happen can help you protect yourself and others.
If you are involved in a car accident or witness one, know what to do to keep everyone safe while also documenting the accident for insurance claims later:
- Move to safety if possible
- Call police
- Exchange information
- Take photos
- Document witnesses
- Seek medical attention
- Keep records of expenses
- If the other driver is from another state or country, ask questions early because insurance issues may look different
Other Areas of Caution During the World Cup
Other situations that may become more common during busy World Cup weekends include:
- Slips and Falls: Crowded sidewalks, parking lots, hotels, restaurants, bars, and event spaces can increase the risk of trips and falls. If you fall, avoid rushing to stand up, check for injuries, and report the incident to the property owner or manager if appropriate.
- Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, and Dehydration: June and July events often mean lots of time outdoors. Drink water regularly, wear weather-appropriate clothing, and pay attention to symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, or excessive fatigue.
- Violence-Related Injuries: Large gatherings mixed with alcohol consumption can sometimes lead to conflicts. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid escalating confrontations, travel in groups when possible, and move away from situations that appear unsafe.
- Infectious Illnesses: Major international events bring together visitors from many different places and that means different germs, too. Wash your hands regularly, stay home if you feel sick, and take extra precautions if you are attending crowded indoor events.
- Alcohol-Related Injuries: Extended celebrations and late nights can increase the risk of injuries beyond drunk driving. Falls, pedestrian incidents, and impaired decision-making are all more common when alcohol is involved. Plan your transportation before heading out and avoid getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking. If you’re out with a group, make a plan together at the beginning of the outing to have someone always ready to call a rideshare, keep the group together, and help the outing end with everyone arriving home safely.
- Crowd-Related Injuries: Busy fan zones like PVD FanZone at Station Park and other event spaces can lead to trips, falls, separation from your group, or feelings of panic and overwhelm. Identify exits when you arrive, establish meeting points, keep your phone charged, and avoid pushing or rushing through crowded areas.
The World Cup should be an exciting time for Rhode Island. A little planning, extra awareness, and knowing how to respond when something unexpected happens can help keep the experience memorable for the right reasons.
Hosting Guests
Rhode Island isn’t just near the World Cup. We’re helping host it. That means for a few weeks, our streets, restaurants, bars, and public spaces will be shared with visitors experiencing our communities for the first time.
There are a few things we can do to help ensure that residents and visitors alike can safely enjoy our hospitality:
- Give people grace: The influx of “outsiders” making traffic slower, businesses busier, and causing you to change your normal routine can cause frustration. Remember that they are trying to be safe and have fun, and that you have also been that same visitor to a new place. Take a deep breath and offer grace and a friendly smile when things don’t go according to plan.
- Expect hesitation at intersections: Out-of-town motorists may be using navigation or following directions someone else gave them. They may hesitate at intersections as they confirm they are going the right way or as they try to be extra careful.
- Expect sudden lane changes: People unfamiliar with the area will often rely on navigation to tell them where to go. Unfortunately, navigation may not provide them with enough notice of upcoming turns, so expect some sudden lane changes when they realize they’re in the wrong lane. Allow extra space between your car and the cars in front of you and be prepared to step on the brakes, especially in heavy or stop-and-go traffic.
- Expect distracted walking: Visitors on foot will be looking for their destinations, but they may also enjoy window shopping or taking in the sights. Expect that they will be distracted and not always pay attention to where they are walking. Be prepared to stop or shift your own path to avoid running into others.
Late Nights + Crowds + Transportation Delays = Risk
Match days are long event days, with gates opening early and closing late. Match attendees may be subject to heat and fatigue while enjoying the match as well as while waiting for rides. Many may choose to drive themselves because rides are expensive or delayed, and if they are tired or overheated, they may pay less attention to the road. Friends may separate after events, leaving everyone to find their own way home safely.
Additionally, Rhode Island has temporarily amended the hours during which bars and restaurants serving alcohol may be open. Specifically, instead of closing at 1 a.m., they can have last call at 3 a.m. and close at 4 a.m. These extended hours only apply on match days and not all establishments that are eligible to extend their hours may choose to do so. Many will, though, and awareness of these hours and the days on which they apply is essential for those enjoying the festivities as well as locals who may be working late or early hours and must contend with the extra traffic during their commute.
Before heading out:
- Decide who is driving.
- Set a rideshare pickup location, if using a rideshare.
- Charge phones and consider bringing charging cables or portable chargers.
- Share locations with your group and a friend or family member who isn’t with your group.
- Know the last bus/train schedule.
- Agree to text each other when you arrive home safely if your group separates to go home.
Enjoy the World Cup Safely
The World Cup is an extraordinary opportunity to welcome visitors, celebrate together, and enjoy being part of a global event close to home. With a little extra planning, patience, and awareness, Rhode Islanders and visitors alike can help make the experience memorable for all the right reasons.
At Rob Levine Law, we are always here to help when accidents happen, and people need support navigating what comes next. But more than anything, we hope this summer is filled with great matches, safe celebrations, and everyone making it home with nothing more than good memories and stories to tell.
