Overview
- Guinness World Records adjudicator Andy Glass officially certified the inflatable as the world’s largest soccer ball on Friday after measuring it at about 47.9 feet in diameter at Piers Park II in East Boston.
- The ball was designed and produced by Creative Inflatables in Ohio, professionally surveyed, shipped to Boston, inflated on site, tethered by steel cables, and is expected to remain on display for roughly a week.
- City Hall Plaza opened an official FanFest the same weekend with a two‑story screen broadcasting matches and a schedule of cultural performances that drew thousands of fans.
- Massachusetts Port Authority led the sponsorship and installation, pledged to donate 100 replica balls to Soccer Without Borders, and arranged for youth from the nonprofit to take part in upcoming match ceremonies.
- Officials say the stunt is meant to boost tourism and civic visibility as a World Cup host city, illustrating how sponsor-funded public spectacles are being used to concentrate fan activity despite other host regions choosing smaller, decentralized events.