French National Team at Bentley: What to Know About World Cup Practices and Campus Access
Are the French national team’s practices at Bentley open to the public?
No, the French team’s practices are not open to the public. Bentley is the French national team's official Team Base Camp Training Site during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which means the team will use campus athletic facilities for training and preparation. These daily sessions are working practices for French national team players, coaches and staff, not public events or fan experiences.
Are practices open to Bentley students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, or Waltham residents?
No, the French team training sessions and workouts are closed to the public, including Bentley community members and alumni. Additionally, for security, privacy and operational reasons, access to team training areas will be restricted while the French national team is on campus. The university’s regular summer courses, camps, facility work and day-to-day operations are expected to continue without interruption.
On June 12, Boston 26, which is hosting the World Cup in Boston, will organize an event on campus for a very small number of fans and local youth soccer programs chosen by Boston 26 to visit practice. The event is not accessible to the general Bentley community.
Why is the French national team training at Bentley?
The French Football Federation selected Bentley as its World Cup training grounds due to the quality of the university’s athletic fields and workout facilities and its proximity to both Boston and Foxborough, where World Cup matches will be played. In March 2026, French national team officials, including head coach Didier Deschamps, visited campus to tour the fields and training facilities. You can read more about the selection process here.
How long will the French national team be at Bentley?
The French national team will use Bentley’s fields and the Bentley Arena as a home base for training for as long as they advance in the tournament. Bentley will welcome the team to Lower Campus starting Thursday, June 11. The World Cup final will be held on July 19.
Is the French national team staying on Bentley’s campus during the World Cup?
No. The team will stay in a hotel in Boston and travel to Bentley for workouts and training. The university is coordinating additional security to support the safety of campus and the surrounding community while daily practices are being held.
How does the French national team’s presence on campus impact access to Lower Campus facilities?
Throughout the team’s stay on campus, the Bentley Arena, baseball and soccer fields will be fenced off and completely inaccessible to give the team privacy so they can focus on training. The Dana Center will be open with limited hours. The Fitness Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday (except on observed holidays), for individuals with a valid Bentley ID.
To access the Dana Center, please plan to use Falcon Way, which you can access at the intersection of Beaver and Forest streets. The ChargePoint station in the Arena Parking Lot will not be accessible during this period. Charging stations will be available at the Miller Parking Desk and behind LaCava.
Will this cost Bentley money?
Hosting the French national team will be a financial net positive for Bentley. No university funds will cover expenses related to the training facility.