We Don't Need Another World Cup to Bring Boston Together. We Already Have the Waterfront.

CRIW—For a few remarkable weeks this summer, Greater Boston showed us the best version of itself. Along our public squares, public houses, and the regions’ waterfronts, strangers became neighbors. Families lingered in public spaces long after matches ended. Children kicked soccer balls on the Harborwalk while fans draped in the colors of countries from around the world laughed, chanted, and celebrated together against the backdrop of Boston Harbor. One afternoon, Scottish supporters filled the waterfront with bagpipes and blue-and-white scarves. Hours later, those same spaces came alive with Cape Verdean families dancing and waving flags. Brazilian and Colombian fans gathered alongside lifelong Bostonians and first-time visitors. The languages changed, the music changed, but the feeling remained the same: everyone was welcomed, everyone belonged. Just days later, Tall Ships transformed many of these same waterfront spaces once again. Hundreds of thousands gathered along the harbor—not because they shared the same background, but because they shared the same public space. The waterfront became Boston's front porch, inviting everyone. These moments weren't accidental. They reflected intentional investments in public spaces, thoughtful programming, reshaping policies around positive intentions and a collective effort to make our waterfronts places where people wanted to gather.

Now comes the question: Why should that feeling disappear now that the events have ended?