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SD 3977

Sports and Entertainment Events Fund March 2026 Monthly Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The fund provides $10 million in grants to support major sports and entertainment events in Massachusetts, prioritizing tourism impact, media promotion, and geographic equity with

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Bill Summary · SD 3977

Summary of SD 3977 (Massachusetts, 194th Legislature)

Title: Sports and Entertainment Events Fund March 2026 Monthly Report

This memorandum documents the March 2026 monthly report from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) regarding the Sports and Entertainment Events Fund (the Fund). The Fund was established by Chapter 73 of the Act of 2025 to support major sports or entertainment events through a competitive grant program. This report covers the first round of grants and associated administrative details.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish and administer a competitive grant program (the Fund) to support major sports and entertainment events in Massachusetts.
  • Prioritize direct economic impact on the Commonwealth’s tourism industry, national/international media promotion, and geographic equity.
  • Provide funding for FIFA World Cup-related activities (matches, Fan Festival) and related public safety, base camp operations, watch parties, and other eligible expenses.
  • Ensure fiscal discipline: no more than 50% of the fund balance may go to a single recipient in any calendar year.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Funding Source and Scope: The Act provided $10 million for costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This report details the first round of grants under the Fund.
  • Eligible Expenses (1:1 Match Required): Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the grantee. Eligible expenses include:
    • Transportation, public safety, wayfinding, disability services
    • Volunteer support, event services, sports marketing
    • Construction, functioning, or operation of an event
    • Additionally, support for viewing licenses and related permits as applicable
  • Eligible Applicants and Activities:
    • Municipalities and non-profits
    • Activities supported: FIFA World Cup matches, the official Fan Festival, and safety costs for team home bases, base camps, and watch parties
  • Application and Review Process:
    • Request for Response released February 2, 2026; webinar held February 11, 2026
    • 51 applications received by March 4, 2026 deadline
    • Total requested: approximately $22.96 million; watch party requests totaled about $12.78 million
    • Applications reviewed and scored by MOTT staff using a detailed rubric; eligibility screened
    • Input from other state agencies involved in FIFA planning (EOPSS/MEMA, DCR, MassDOT, MBTA)
  • Scoring Rubric (weighting):
    • Viability: 35% (budget realism, matching funds, permits, safety plans, public support, transportation, partnerships)
    • Economic Impact and Need: 35% (need articulation, return-on-investment, tourism impact, media promotion, marketing plan, avoidance of state costs)
    • Clarity and Vision: 20% (fit for inaugural round, success metrics, unique attributes)
    • Geographic Equity/Other State Priorities: 10% (designated cultural districts, sustainability, equity/inclusion, commemorations)
  • Award and Expenditure Timeline:
    • Awards announced March 23, 2026
    • Awardees must complete contracting and commence expenditures by August 31, 2026
    • Grantees must provide matching funds and complete budget refinements and required reporting
    • Grantees must comply with FIFA viewing rules and obtain licenses as applicable

Recipients and Award Amounts (Total Award: $10,000,000)

  • Boston HostCity (FBW26 Boston Soccer 2026) – City of Boston: $4,225,000
  • City of Boston – Celebration & Neighborhood Activation: $100,000
  • City of Brockton – Brockton City of Champions Fan Zone: $175,000
  • Cambridge – United Where the City of Cambridge: $65,000
  • City of Chelsea – Fiesta Fútbol ’26 (Chelsea): $175,000
  • Millside Park – Watch Party & Easthampton USA 250 Festival: $100,000
  • City of Everett – Everett Community Watch Party: $10,000
  • City of Greenfield – Greenfield Watch Party: $10,000
  • City of Worcester – Worcester Watch Parties: $120,000
  • Massachusetts Youth Soccer Festivals (in multiple communities: Barnstable, Brockton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, New Bedford, Northampton, Pittsfield, etc.): $120,000
  • MeetBoston (FWC26 Boston Event Production): $4,600,000
  • MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau – Marlborough: $120,000
  • Revolutionary Valley Regional Tourism Council and Latinx Center of Lowell – Lowell: $75,000
  • Gather on the Pitch: Community Watch Party Series – Town of Burlington: $15,000
  • Town of Lexington – Lexington Watch Party: $25,000
  • Town of Weymouth – Weymouth Watch Party: $40,000
  • Haitian U.S. Haitian Chamber (Boston, Canton, Everett, Randolph) – Community Multi-Game Watch Party Series: $25,000

Total awards: $10,000,000

Who/What Is Affected

  • Municipalities and nonprofit organizations planning or hosting FIFA World Cup-related events and watch parties
  • Local tourism economies and hospitality sectors expected to benefit from event-related activity
  • Public safety agencies, transportation and infrastructure planning bodies, and disability services providers involved in event operations
  • Varies across Massachusetts communities, with emphasis on promoting Massachusetts in national/international media

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • March 23, 2026: Grant awards announced
  • August 31, 2026: Deadline for grant expenditures and cost matching
  • Ongoing: Budget refinements, required reporting, and compliance with FIFA viewing rules (licenses as applicable)
  • The Fund’s first round prioritizes geographic equity and statewide promotion, with caps ensuring no single recipient dominates funding in a given year (per the Act)

Practical Implications

  • Grants fund a mix of large-scale and community-focused activities, from flagship city-wide events to smaller watch parties
  • 1:1 matching requirement ensures local investment and accountability
  • Emphasis on tourism impact and media exposure aims to maximize Massachusetts’ return on investment from FIFA-related events
  • Recipients must coordinate with state agencies and adhere to safety, transportation, accessibility, and licensing requirements

If you’d like, I can map each award to its likely economic impact category (tourism, media promotion, local business activation) or provide a quick comparison to other rounds or similar programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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