New state nonprofit launched to help Rhode Island score big in 2026 World Cup
Rhode Island officials have launched a new nonprofit, Ocean State 2026, to take advantage of tourism during the 2026 World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, pictured. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
State officials are forming a new nonprofit to help maximize local tourism and economic development for the state from the 2026 World Cup, which includes matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Ocean State 2026 will be led by Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner, who is stepping down from her cabinet position to spearhead the efforts of the new nonprofit. Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa will serve as chair of the nonprofit board of directors.
The preparations come a year before an estimated 1 million international soccer fans are expected to travel through the Providence metro area during the seven World Cup matches hosted at Gillette, from June 13 to July 9. The Boston-area stadium is one of 16 host cities for the three-country, 48-match tournament, which spans North America.
The Massachusetts matches are expected to generate more than $330 million in local economic impact, according to Gov. Dan McKee's office.
Ocean State 2026 will lead business sponsorship efforts on tournament-related activities in Rhode Island while serving as a central organizer between state and local agencies, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and the FIFA World Cup Boston host committee before, during and after the tournament.
'Next year's international soccer matches at Gillette Stadium will bring thousands of tourists, spending millions of dollars in our cities and towns,' Diossa said in a statement. 'It truly offers an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our state while maximizing economic impact. This is bigger than soccer; it's about investing in our state's future and ensuring every community gets to benefit.'
While Diossa will remain in his elected general officer role, Tanner is leaving her $238,600-a-year appointed job as Commerce secretary, which she has held since June 2022.
Tanner in a statement said she looked forward to continuing to serve the state in her new role, which she called a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'
Tanner's career in state government dates back to 2015, when she began working in client services for Commerce. From 2017 to 2022, she led the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, overseeing state financial services, cannabis regulation, building code and compliance and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, alongside a variety of professional licenses.
During her three years as Commerce secretary, she oversaw expansion of broadband infrastructure through a $100 million federal grant program, alongside small business supports, including those to aid business owners affected by the Washington Bridge closure and demolition.
Her last day as Commerce secretary will be July 4. An interim secretary will be named by that time, McKee's office said.
Information about the search and appointment for a new, permanent Commerce secretary was not immediately available. Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for Commerce, declined to share Tanner's new salary with Ocean State 2026, noting that the nonprofit does not rely on state funding.
Updated to include a response to questions about Liz Tanner's salary with Ocean State 2026.
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