The Boston Legacy FC’s White Stadium Renovations: City of Boston to Taxpayers, “Your Bill is Going Up!”
- Steven Kee
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Photo by Steven Kee, Stadium Journey
As of February 2026, the ambitious renovation of White Stadium in Franklin Park has reached a total projected cost of $325 million. This redevelopment is a public-private partnership between the City of Boston and Boston Legacy FC, a new professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
The Taxpayers Bill
While the project was initially framed as a modest $30 million renovation in 2023, the cost to taxpayers has nearly tripled from early 2024 estimates.
Current Public Share: Taxpayers are now on the hook for $135 million, up from an initial estimate of $50 million and a late-2024 projection of $91 million.
Reasons for the Increase: Mayor Michelle Wu attributed the ballooning costs to inflation, rising material prices (such as steel), new tariffs, and extensive design changes requested by the community.
Budget Lock: The Mayor stated this $135 million figure is the "absolute maximum," protected by a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract to prevent further overruns.
Boston Legacy FC Role
The private partner, Boston Legacy FC, will contribute $190 million toward construction, primarily for the stadium's west side. Under a 10-year lease agreement, the team will also provide over $252 million in community benefits over 15 years, including stadium maintenance, rent, and a new Boston Public Schools (BPS) athletics fund.
Local Controversy
The project remains highly contentious. Groups like the Franklin Park Defenders and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy have sued to halt the project, arguing it privatizes public land and is irresponsible given a concurrent $53 million budget gap and staff cuts within Boston Public Schools. Critics advocate for a more affordable, fully public stadium that would cost roughly $65 million.
Vertical construction is scheduled to begin at the end of March 2026, with the stadium expected to be ready for the 2027 NWSL season.
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