DOWN TO THE FINAL FEW MINUTES. IT’S ALL PART OF OUR LIVE TEAM COVERAGE TONIGHT. WE BEGIN WITH OUR SHARMAN SACCHETTI, WHO’S LIVE AT FAN FEST WILL. SHE’S AT CITY HALL PLAZA, SHARMAN. WE ARE AT CITY HALL PLAZA. THERE’S STILL A PRETTY LONG LINE TO TRY TO GET IN, AND YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT HERE BEHIND ME. THIS STRETCHES ALL ACROSS THE PLAZA. THE ENTRANCE IS ACTUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WHERE WE’RE AT. IT STRETCHES ALL THE WAY DOWN PAST CITY HALL. NOW WE HAVE SOME VIDEO OF THE SIGN THAT PARTLY BLEW DOWN IN HIGH WINDS. FAN FEST WAS DELAYED FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS WHILE THEY REMOVED THAT ONE, AND OTHERS LIKE IT. SOME FANS WAITING IN LINE STARTED WATCHING THE MATCH ON THEIR PHONES. THAT’S BECAUSE THE GAME HAS STARTED AND I DON’T WANT TO MISS IT. WE HAVE A GREAT ATMOSPHERE LIKE GREAT FANS ARE OUT HERE TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM. IT IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT WE’RE AROUND GREAT COMPANY. WE’VE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD AND RELAXED, SO WE MEET AND GREET EVERYWHERE WE GO AND WE SAY HELLO TO EVERYONE. WE RESPECT EVERYONE’S CULTURE AND WE JUST DRINK AND GET ALONG. SO THEY’RE JUST CHILLING AND RELAXING. SO FAN FEST REOPENED JUST BEFORE 4:00. SOME FANS DID GIVE UP AND THEY WENT TO THE WATCH PARTY ON THE COMMON, BUT OTHERS DID STICK IT OUT, TELLING US THEY LIKE THE VIBE HERE BETTER. SO AGAIN, THAT WAS REOPENED JUST BEFORE 4:00. THE LINE IS STILL PRETTY LONG TO GET IN, BUT EVERYBODY’S PRETTY GOOD NATURED AND YOU CAN HEAR THEM
The opening of Boston, Massachusetts’s FIFA Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza was delayed on Friday due to high winds, according to organizers.Boston Police said the festival will reopen at 3:45 p.m.StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | FuturecastThe festival itself was not scheduled to start until 2 p.m.Sky5 flew over the festival, where curtaining on the side of City Hall Plaza could be seen blowing in the wind.»It sucks like the game has started. I don’t want to miss it. We have a great atmosphere. Great fans are out here to support our team. It is unfortunate but we’re around great company,» Nathaniel Paul, a USA fan, said.Some fans left for the watch party on Boston Common, but others stayed, saying they preferred the vibe at fan fest.»We’ve traveled all over the world, chilled and relaxed so we meet and greet everywhere we go and we say hello to everyone, respect everyone’s culture and just drink and get along,» Rob Lawson, a Scotland fan, said.Watch below: Peter Eliopolous beats the traffic to Boston Stadium on foot!The U.S. Men’s National Team will play against Australia at 3 p.m. Scotland is also scheduled to play against Morocco at 6 p.m. at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.The evacuation comes one day after the festival was outright canceled on Thursday due to severe weather.Entry to the festival is free, but capacity is limited to 5,000 people at any one time, according to organizers.For those who did get approval to attend, the event will feature daily match broadcasts, local food vendors, performances and interactive opportunities, according to Boston 26. It will last for 16 days.What fans should know before arrivingFans must register in advance to attend the FIFA Fan Festival. Organizers said passes have been limited for several high-demand matches, including Friday’s U.S.-Paraguay match, Brazil-Morocco on Saturday, Haiti-Scotland on Saturday and Scotland-Morocco on June 19.Security and operations plans were developed in coordination with the city of Boston, the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston police, transportation agencies and regional security partners, according to Boston 26. DMSE Sports is managing festival operations, and Windwalker Group is overseeing private security, according to organizers.Fans can bring clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags measuring no more than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, according to Boston 26. Small clutch purses or wallets measuring no more than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches are also allowed, according to organizers.Getting thereOrganizers recommend using public transit to reach City Hall Plaza:Green or Blue Line to Government Center (at City Hall Plaza)Orange Line to State or Haymarket (~five-minute walk)Red Line to Downtown Crossing (~10-minute walk) or transfer to Green Line at Park StreetBus routes 92 or 93 to Congress Street at North StreetFestival schedule:The FIFA Fan Festival Boston will be open daily at Boston City Hall Plaza from June 12-27, with live broadcasts of World Cup matches throughout the tournament:Friday, June 19 (2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)3 p.m. — U.S. vs. Australia6 p.m. — Scotland vs. Morocco9 p.m. — Brazil vs. HaitiSaturday, June 20 (noon to 10:30 p.m.)1 p.m. — Netherlands vs. Sweden4 p.m. — Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire8 p.m. — Ecuador vs. CuraçaoSunday, June 21 (11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)Noon — Spain vs. Saudi Arabia3 p.m. — Belgium vs. Iran6 p.m. — Uruguay vs. Cape VerdeMonday, June 22 (noon to 10:30 p.m.)1 p.m. — Argentina vs. Austria5 p.m. — France vs. Iraq8 p.m. — Norway vs. SenegalTuesday, June 23 (noon to 9:30 p.m.)1 p.m. — Portugal vs. Uzbekistan4 p.m. — England vs. Ghana7 p.m. — Panama vs. CroatiaWednesday, June 24 (2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)3 p.m. — Switzerland vs. Canada or Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar6 p.m. — Scotland vs. Brazil or Morocco vs. Haiti9 p.m. — South Africa vs. South Korea or Czech Republic vs. MexicoThursday, June 25 (3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)4 p.m. — Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire or Ecuador vs. Germany7 p.m. — Japan vs. Sweden or Tunisia vs. NetherlandsFriday, June 26 (2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)3 p.m. — Norway vs. France8 p.m. — Uruguay vs. Spain or Cape Verde vs. Saudi ArabiaSaturday, June 27 (3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.)5 p.m. — Croatia vs. Ghana or Panama vs. England7:30 p.m. — DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan or Colombia vs. Portugal10 p.m. — Jordan vs. Argentina or Algeria vs. AustriaPerformance schedule:The opening weekend will feature headline performances from DJ Bones, Autumn Drive and Skerryvore, according to Boston 26. Daily cultural programming throughout the festival includes performances ranging from mariachi and Irish step dancing to Brazilian drumming and spoken word, according to organizers.Friday, June 19: DJ SuperSmashBroz, KS Dance StudioSaturday, June 20: ESHANI – Fletchers, Candace Persuasion, Diaspora Dance CollectiveSunday, June 21: DJ Real P, DJ ShyMonday, June 22: The Ray Liriano Experience, Tenille Ja’Nae, Ritmo Canela Academy of Performing ArtsTuesday, June 23: Safiya, Borga’s BandWednesday, June 24: aNova Brazil Drumming Ensemble, ZairaThursday, June 25: FM Collective, International Show-Roy StudmireFriday, June 26: Mas Tombar, Legends of SummerSaturday, June 27: Sullivan School Irish StepOther opportunitiesIn addition to the festival on City Hall Plaza, Boston plans to host six community watch parties. The first of those is set for Monday afternoon in Dorchester.
The opening of Boston, Massachusetts’s FIFA Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza was delayed on Friday due to high winds, according to organizers.
Boston Police said the festival will reopen at 3:45 p.m.
StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | Futurecast
The festival itself was not scheduled to start until 2 p.m.
Sky5 flew over the festival, where curtaining on the side of City Hall Plaza could be seen blowing in the wind.
«It sucks like the game has started. I don’t want to miss it. We have a great atmosphere. Great fans are out here to support our team. It is unfortunate but we’re around great company,» Nathaniel Paul, a USA fan, said.
Some fans left for the watch party on Boston Common, but others stayed, saying they preferred the vibe at fan fest.
«We’ve traveled all over the world, chilled and relaxed so we meet and greet everywhere we go and we say hello to everyone, respect everyone’s culture and just drink and get along,» Rob Lawson, a Scotland fan, said.
Watch below: Peter Eliopolous beats the traffic to Boston Stadium on foot!
The U.S. Men’s National Team will play against Australia at 3 p.m. Scotland is also scheduled to play against Morocco at 6 p.m. at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.
The evacuation comes one day after the festival was outright canceled on Thursday due to severe weather.
Entry to the festival is free, but capacity is limited to 5,000 people at any one time, according to organizers.
For those who did get approval to attend, the event will feature daily match broadcasts, local food vendors, performances and interactive opportunities, according to Boston 26. It will last for 16 days.
What fans should know before arriving
Fans must register in advance to attend the FIFA Fan Festival. Organizers said passes have been limited for several high-demand matches, including Friday’s U.S.-Paraguay match, Brazil-Morocco on Saturday, Haiti-Scotland on Saturday and Scotland-Morocco on June 19.
Security and operations plans were developed in coordination with the city of Boston, the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston police, transportation agencies and regional security partners, according to Boston 26. DMSE Sports is managing festival operations, and Windwalker Group is overseeing private security, according to organizers.
Fans can bring clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags measuring no more than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, according to Boston 26. Small clutch purses or wallets measuring no more than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches are also allowed, according to organizers.
Getting there
Organizers recommend using public transit to reach City Hall Plaza:
- Green or Blue Line to Government Center (at City Hall Plaza)
- Orange Line to State or Haymarket (~five-minute walk)
- Red Line to Downtown Crossing (~10-minute walk) or transfer to Green Line at Park Street
- Bus routes 92 or 93 to Congress Street at North Street
Festival schedule:
The FIFA Fan Festival Boston will be open daily at Boston City Hall Plaza from June 12-27, with live broadcasts of World Cup matches throughout the tournament:
Friday, June 19 (2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
- 3 p.m. — U.S. vs. Australia
- 6 p.m. — Scotland vs. Morocco
- 9 p.m. — Brazil vs. Haiti
Saturday, June 20 (noon to 10:30 p.m.)
- 1 p.m. — Netherlands vs. Sweden
- 4 p.m. — Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire
- 8 p.m. — Ecuador vs. Curaçao
Sunday, June 21 (11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
- Noon — Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
- 3 p.m. — Belgium vs. Iran
- 6 p.m. — Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
Monday, June 22 (noon to 10:30 p.m.)
- 1 p.m. — Argentina vs. Austria
- 5 p.m. — France vs. Iraq
- 8 p.m. — Norway vs. Senegal
Tuesday, June 23 (noon to 9:30 p.m.)
- 1 p.m. — Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
- 4 p.m. — England vs. Ghana
- 7 p.m. — Panama vs. Croatia
Wednesday, June 24 (2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
- 3 p.m. — Switzerland vs. Canada or Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar
- 6 p.m. — Scotland vs. Brazil or Morocco vs. Haiti
- 9 p.m. — South Africa vs. South Korea or Czech Republic vs. Mexico
Thursday, June 25 (3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
- 4 p.m. — Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire or Ecuador vs. Germany
- 7 p.m. — Japan vs. Sweden or Tunisia vs. Netherlands
Friday, June 26 (2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)
- 3 p.m. — Norway vs. France
- 8 p.m. — Uruguay vs. Spain or Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia
Saturday, June 27 (3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.)
- 5 p.m. — Croatia vs. Ghana or Panama vs. England
- 7:30 p.m. — DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan or Colombia vs. Portugal
- 10 p.m. — Jordan vs. Argentina or Algeria vs. Austria
Performance schedule:
The opening weekend will feature headline performances from DJ Bones, Autumn Drive and Skerryvore, according to Boston 26. Daily cultural programming throughout the festival includes performances ranging from mariachi and Irish step dancing to Brazilian drumming and spoken word, according to organizers.
- Friday, June 19: DJ SuperSmashBroz, KS Dance Studio
- Saturday, June 20: ESHANI – Fletchers, Candace Persuasion, Diaspora Dance Collective
- Sunday, June 21: DJ Real P, DJ Shy
- Monday, June 22: The Ray Liriano Experience, Tenille Ja’Nae, Ritmo Canela Academy of Performing Arts
- Tuesday, June 23: Safiya, Borga’s Band
- Wednesday, June 24: aNova Brazil Drumming Ensemble, Zaira
- Thursday, June 25: FM Collective, International Show-Roy Studmire
- Friday, June 26: Mas Tombar, Legends of Summer
- Saturday, June 27: Sullivan School Irish Step
Other opportunities
In addition to the festival on City Hall Plaza, Boston plans to host six community watch parties. The first of those is set for Monday afternoon in Dorchester.
