SMITHFIELD-Bryant President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., General Treasurer James Diossa, and Governor Daniel McKee jointly announced today that Bryant University is the first site in New England to be selected for inclusion in the expanded FIFA World Cup 26™ Base Camp brochure of potential sites that can be selected as a Team Base Camp next year.
“Bryant’s recognition by FIFA World Cup 26™ affirms the foresight of our investment in best-in-class facilities across our campus,” said Bryant President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., noting the recent opening of Bryant’s 43,000-square-foot field house this fall, with state-of-the-art spaces for training, recovery, and wellness. “Our goal has always been to create resources that strengthen academics and the student experience, leading to top 1% outcomes for graduates. FIFA’s recognition of our modern campus facilities underscores both their quality and their broader global appeal.”
“Rhode Island's world-class hospitality and proximity to Boston Stadium make us an excellent home base choice for teams competing in next summer's World Cup,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Bryant University has made smart investments in its athletic facilities that will help any team gain the competitive edge they need. As Governor, I welcome the opportunity for Bryant to host a team on its campus and showcase the best of the Ocean State on the international stage."
General Treasurer and Ocean State 2026 Chair, James Diossa, thanked the Bryant University team for the resources that the school has provided (and will continue to provide) to bring this effort to fruition. “Bryant University’s athletic and legal departments devoted months of research and meetings to obtain this designation. We are confident that it will yield significant economic benefits to this region in the months and years to come – from the direct business that the team spends in our community next summer to the lasting impact of site improvements.”
The updated brochure was recently distributed to national teams who are in contention to compete in the tournament next summer. It features more than 60 potential sites in the tournament footprint that have met exacting FIFA World Cup™ standards that include level grass pitches with a certain blade height of specific grasses, adequate lighting, ample security, and extensive training facilities. Each site selected is also paired with first-class accommodations to meet the requirements of an international soccer team and its staff. Bryant University and its hotel partner, The Graduate by Hilton Providence, is the only New England site included in the brochure for consideration to date.
“The Graduate by Hilton Providence is excited to play a role in this announcement as the hotel partner with Bryant University,” said General Manager Cory Kramer. “Our downtown Providence location provides quick access to both the training facility and the stadium while situated in the heart of this historic and culturally rich city. We can’t wait to introduce Rhode Island to the world.” Teams will submit their final selections following the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The draw, to take place on December 5 at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, will reveal the geographic zones in which teams will play their group matches, further guiding their decisions regarding their respective Team Base Camp locations.
If a national team selects the Smithfield site for its base camp, it will host a community day for a select group of student-athletes at the Bryant University facility.
“Smithfield is looking forward to playing host to these athletes from another nation,” said Town Council President John J. Tassoni, Jr. “We will continue to be respectful, discreet, and professional as we interface with the team in the hopes that our site will be selected. With this honor comes the opportunity for some of our youth soccer players to train with these athletes.”
Rhode Island Sports Commission Executive Director Jonathan Walker said, “Community service and legacy building are an integral component of our interest in securing this site as a base camp. We hope to inspire future players by earning the opportunity for youths to meet players, watch them practice, and see firsthand what kind of results teamwork, discipline, and strategy can yield.”
“Excitement is building for the December 5 final draw,” said Ocean State 2026 Executive Director Liz Tanner. “We are confident that a team designated to play in Massachusetts will want to train in a nearby facility and acclimatize their athletes here in New England. The efforts of Ocean State 2026 are moving in a positive direction.”
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About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers an integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu
About Ocean State 2026
Ocean State 2026 is a non-profit organization that was created to facilitate business sponsorships of 39 days of events across Rhode Island, to entertain soccer fans from around the world, and to celebrate the international matches being played in nearby Massachusetts next summer.