The report says almost 150,000 fans had registered, while the site can hold around 5,000 people at a time. That gap has turned registration into an expression of interest rather than a guaranteed ticket.
The capacity limit is reportedly linked to safety requirements. For supporters who received confirmation emails, the late warning has created frustration and exposed the challenge of staging a city-centre event around high-demand World Cup fixtures.
The festival is the centrepiece of the city’s tournament plans, combining live match screenings with music and international food. Its opening schedule includes:
The Haiti-Scotland screening carries added local interest because the fixture is also scheduled to be the first World Cup match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Scotland supporters have already brought a visible presence to Boston, with the Tartan Army adding colour around the city.
The city has reportedly identified other public viewing options, including the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, Lawn on D and community events in several neighbourhoods. Bars and restaurants are also preparing for extended opening hours.
That wider network could ease pressure on City Hall Plaza, but the next test will come when the festival moves into a heavier schedule, with three matches planned on several days next week. Boston’s World Cup success may depend less on the headline venue than on whether supporters can find reliable alternatives when capacity is reached.