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Rhode Island Launches Ocean State 2026 Nonprofit for World Cup

Community members come together in Rhode Island to celebrate the launch of Ocean State 2026 and the upcoming World Cup.

News Summary

Rhode Island has initiated the Ocean State 2026 nonprofit to enhance tourism and economic growth during the 2026 World Cup. The organization aims to attract 1 million international soccer fans, with projected economic benefits surpassing $330 million. Led by Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner, the nonprofit will engage local businesses and tourism agencies, despite no training sites selected in Rhode Island. Governor McKee emphasizes the event as a major opportunity for visibility and economic activity for the state, ensuring lasting growth beyond the tournament.

Rhode Island has announced the formation of a new nonprofit organization named Ocean State 2026, designed to enhance local tourism and economic growth during the 2026 World Cup. This prestigious soccer tournament will feature matches held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, from June 13 to July 9, 2026. The initiative is part of a broader plan to attract an estimated 1 million international soccer fans to the Providence metro area.

The goals of Ocean State 2026 encompass maximizing the economic impacts of the World Cup, which is estimated to generate over $330 million for the local economy, according to projections from Governor Dan McKee’s office. The nonprofit will coordinate efforts to acquire business sponsorships and act as a facilitator between state and local agencies, chambers of commerce, and tourism bureaus.

Taking a lead role in this initiative, Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner is set to step down from her position to become the head of the new nonprofit by July 4, 2025. Tanner has held the Commerce Secretary role since June 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from her earlier tenure overseeing the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation since 2015. She has received an annual salary of $238,600 but the details of her compensation at Ocean State 2026 have not been disclosed, with assurances that no state funds will be utilized for the nonprofit’s operations.

In addition to Tanner’s leadership, Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa will chair the Ocean State 2026 board. Diossa highlighted the event as a unique opportunity for Rhode Island to present itself globally and maximize the economic advantages stemming from the World Cup. Unlike Rhode Island, a separate nonprofit, Boston 26, has been formed specifically for the official Host City initiative related to the World Cup.

Despite the excitement surrounding the event, no training sites for competing national teams have been selected within Rhode Island, which may limit the direct benefits the state can derive from the World Cup outside the expected influx of visitors. The tournament itself will span three countries, namely the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expanding its reach and potential economic impact.

Governor McKee has emphasized the World Cup as a significant opportunity for Rhode Island, aiming to gain both visibility and economic activity through the event. As the kickoff date approaches, the focus will turn to developing strategic plans to engage international soccer fans, potential sponsors, and local businesses to ensure that the economic benefits are fully realized in the years leading up to and during the tournament.

Overall, Ocean State 2026 aims to be a pivotal hub for the coordination of efforts to not only draw tourism but also to foster long-lasting economic growth for Rhode Island that extends beyond the 2026 World Cup itself.