Boston Legacy FC, the 2026 NWSL expansion franchise, will hold the first season of the entire home game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, due to delays in rebuilding of its proposed home.

"As the 2026 NWSL season begins, the Old Boston Football Club will be in the inaugural season at Gillette Stadium, before the club moved into its permanent residence at White Stadium in 2027," a Boston Heritage spokesman told ESPN in a statement in a statement Wednesday.

"Construction of the White Stadium is underway, but construction will be completed by March 2026," the statement continued.

Gillette Stadium is the long-term home of the MLS New England Revolution and the NFL New England Patriots. Gillette Stadium will also host seven FIFA men's World Cup matches next summer. Commissioner Jessica Berman previously told ESPN that the NWSL plans to play games at next year's World Cup.

The ownership group of Legacy FC in Boston is undergoing a renovation of the shabby white stadium in Franklin Park, Boston, with a unique and controversial public-private partnership with Boston Public Schools.

The White Stadium was supposed to reopen before March 2026, when the NWSL usually started the regular season, but it faced several setbacks, including ongoing lawsuits from local conservation organizations to block the project. The demolition of the old structure began earlier this year.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that the "fastest" of the White Stadium will complete "next summer" and that the Boston Traditional Football Club decided not to make a mid-season field conversion at the inauguration.

The transition to playing football at Gillette Stadium, a 65,000-seat venue with artificial turf, mainly for American football, is another setback for the Boston franchise initially approved as an NWSL expansion team in early 2023.

Earlier this year, the group announced a change to Boston Legacy FC. The team was originally announced as "Bos Nation FC" last October. The name and accompanying marketing campaign, titled “Too Many Balls,” has received widespread criticism.

Sources previously told ESPN that Boston was awarded the NWSL expansion team, depending on the results of the stadium’s renovation.

“Expansion is an opportunity for us to shape the future of the league and not only build contract requirements for these clubs, but also build the league’s oversight to ensure specific deadlines,” Berman said inquiring if White Stadiums are ready. “We have been working with the Boston ownership group and have been continuing to work closely.”

Berman and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised the city's partnership with the NWSL team as role models for other cities.

The price of the project has almost doubled from its original estimate to more than $200 million. Boston Legacy, led by leading boss Jennifer Epstein - his family is a long-time co-owner of the NBA's Boston Celtics and is being sold, which is half the renovation and cost.

Boston Public Schools track and field will prioritize the arrangement of games at the stadium. Boston Traditional Football Club will be allowed to use the stadium for up to 20 games a year, and there are certain restrictions around the frequency of the game.

Gillette Stadium is owned by the Kraft Group, which owns Revolution and Patriots.

Josh Kraft, son of Robert Kraft, CEO and chairman of Kraft Group, runs for Mayor of Boston against Wu. The White Stadium Project has been the root of the open battle between Josh Kraft and Wu.

Mrs. Carls attempted to build her own football field across the river near Charlestown, Boston.

A spokesperson for Kraft Sports and Entertainment issued the following statement to ESPN:

“Gillette Stadium is pleased to welcome Boston Legacy FC to the inaugural season of 2026. With the close proximity to the club, Gillette Stadium is honored to support the team and provide Boston Traditional FC and its fans with a world-class venue to promote the advancement of professional football for women in New England.

“Gillette Stadium and New England Revolution look forward to sharing the field with Boston Legacy FC as we add a long history of hosting superb football matches.”