Mayor Michelle Wu signed a letter of intent Thursday to establish Boston and Glasgow, Scotland, as “sister cities” beginning next year, using the momentum of the World Cup and the arrival of the Tartan Army. The agreement is expected to be formally signed next
When the World Cup brought a wave of kilt-wearing fans to Boston, the city learned a familiar kind of welcome fast. On Thursday, Mayor Michelle Wu tried to make that connection last beyond the tournament.
Wu signed a letter of intent at The Haven, a Scottish restaurant in Jamaica Plain, to establish Boston and Glasgow, Scotland, as “sister cities” beginning next year. She framed the move as a way to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two communities.
“Boston is clearly the best city for the World Cup right now. That is thanks in large part to the Tartan Army,” Wu said as bagpipes sounded and cheers rose around her. She also pointed to the relationships that have formed as Scottish supporters filled bars. tried local foods. and found ways to connect with residents.
“What has been most beautiful about this whole experience is not just seeing fans who are just as passionate about your teams. your heritage. your culture as Boston fans are. but then seeing those connections built across different cultures. ” Wu said. “Finding ways we’re sharing in the sense of connection — that can feel so far in the world right now.”.
The proposal arrives as Boston leans into its existing international ties. The city currently has 11 “sister cities,” including Hangzhou, China, and Praia, Cape Verde. The program is designed to foster international understanding and goodwill through long-term partnerships between communities in different countries.
Wu said she spoke by phone Thursday with Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren about similarities between the two cities. The agreement is expected to be formally signed next April, when McLaren visits Boston for Tartan Day celebrations.
“This type of agreement will make sure that you always see Boston as a home base,” Wu told the crowd. “We want you to come back again and again and again.”
Tourism officials estimate roughly 50. 000 Scottish supporters have descended on Greater Boston for the World Cup. turning the city into what several visitors described as a temporary home away from home. Many have embraced local traditions—from singing along at Fenway Park to exploring neighborhoods—while sharing pieces of Scottish culture in return.
For Cameron Duncan, a 22-year-old from Glasgow attending the tournament with his brother, the sister-city plan felt like a natural next step. “It’s a match made in heaven,” Duncan said. “Everybody here’s been really friendly. It’s made us feel really welcomed.”
Boston resident Ada Nicodemus, 21, said she welcomed the effort as a simple bridge to places abroad. “It’s super cute to connect the city with other places in the world,” Nicodemus said. “It’s a really cool initiative.
Michelle Wu Boston Glasgow sister cities World Cup Tartan Army Jamaica Plain Fenway Park Tartan Day