Judge Rules In Favor of White Stadium Renovation

A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the White Stadium renovation Wednesday, a win for the City of Boston and Boston Unity Soccer Partners.

A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the White Stadium renovation Wednesday, a win for the City of Boston and Boston Unity Soccer Partners.

Nearly two weeks after closing arguments, Judge Matthew Nestor determined the stadium parcel is not considered public parkland and is therefore not subject to Article 97, the crux of the lawsuit. The verdict allows for the completion of the stadium renovation and the execution of the lease between the city and BUSP.

“With today's ruling, we are pleased to continue the revitalization of White Stadium alongside the city of Boston. Boston Public Schools students and the communities around Franklin Park have long deserved the type of generational investment this project delivers,” said Boston Legacy FC’s controlling owner, Jennifer Epstein. “We look forward to contributing to a beautiful, modern venue to be enjoyed by everyone in the city and to playing our games in front of the best sports fans in the world."

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy and a group of residents and park advocates first filed the lawsuit in February 2024, claiming that the partnership between the city and BUSP violated state law. The plaintiffs maintained that the stadium parcel within Franklin Park was considered public parkland, making it subject to Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. This law is partly intended to preserve open space, and prevent parkland from being privatized. Land subject to this rule would require a two-thirds vote of the state legislature before it could be used for other purposes.

Nestor said in his court filing that there were no documents that provided a clear dedication of White Stadium as a public park, and, despite resident testimony, the everyday use of the parcel did not show an intent to deem it parkland.

Stadium construction will be complete in winter 2026, according to the city’s timeline, but the field is projected to be ready in time for the Legacy’s National Women’s Soccer League debut in March 2026.