Travel Impacts

The information set out here describes, as best we can determine, the potential travel challenges associated with hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events. In addition to describing how, when and where travel could be impacted here is what we hope will be useful advice on how to navigate these challenges and so help ensure a summer of fun.

POTENTIAL IMPACT TO ROADS

Downtown Boston:

Roads are expected to be much busier than usual on match days from up to 5 hours before kick- off and up to 5 hours after the final whistle with fans and Tournament officials travelling to / from the Stadium.
Road closures and other changes in traffic conditions may also cause some disruption across the Tournament period around FIFA officials hotels and the FIFA Fan Festival.

Routes to/from the Stadium at Foxborough:

Route 1 and Interstates 495 and 95 are expected to be much busier than usual on match days. Traveling toward the Stadium on match days things are expected to be busier than usual from up to 4 hours before kickoff and away from the Stadium for up to 3 hours after final whistle with fans and Tournament officials traveling to / from the Stadium.

Foxborough Area:

Local roads in the area are expected to be much busier than usual toward the Stadium on match days from up to 4 hrs before kick-off and away from the Stadium for up to 3 hours after final whistle with fans and Tournament officials traveling to / from the Stadium.
Road closures and other changes in traffic conditions will also be in place around the Stadium on match days from 6 hours before kick-off until 6 hours after final whistle.
All parking for match ticket holders must be booked in advance and tailgating is not permitted.
Parking arrangements for the outlets at Patriot Place will be as usual and spaces will be protected for customers. Stadium parking arrangements will be different to usual and may result in some disruption. If you intend visiting on match days check parking arrangements with your destination and allow extra time for your trip.

POTENTIAL IMPACT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Train Stations:

It is possible that Foxboro Station will be closed to commuters on match days to safely accommodate fan movements. Please check back here nearer the time or visit MBTA’s world cup guidance.
Boston Stadium Trains will operate on match days between Boston’s South Station and Foxboro Station and are expected to carry many more fans than a typical Stadium event (up to 20,000). Crowding is therefore expected at Boston’s South Station on match days starting from up to 6 hours hrs before kick-off. The station is also expected to be busy with fans returning from the Stadium for up to 5 hours after the final whistle.
With FIFA World Cup 2026 matches taking place across the country from June 11TH until July 19TH we expect to see many more people on the train network across the region as they travel to watch parties and other Celebration 26 events. Check the full match schedule here before you travel.
Also be aware that organised Fan Walks may take place in the Downtown on match days further adding to challenges of those wishing to go about their everyday lives by train.

Train Services:

There are expected to be updates to train services during the event period. Details will be available here soon. Check before you travel.
Boston Stadium Trains will be in operation to / from the Stadium on match days however it is possible that some fans may choose to use other services to get close to the Stadium on routes through Norwood Central and on the Providence / Stoughton Line. This could result in more people traveling by train on match days on these lines than usual.

Buses:

There are expected to be updates to bus service schedules in the Downtown and around Foxborough during the event period. Details will be available here soon. Check before you travel.

Subway:

Services and stations across Downtown Boston are expected to be busier than usual throughout the Tournament, particularly on match days. This includes Park Street, Government Center and South Station. Allow extra time for your trip and look out for local wayfinding and ambassadors.

Boston Ferry Services:

Local ferry services are likely to be much busier than usual across the period. There are also expected to be updates to ferry service schedules during the event period. Details will be available here soon.

Air Travel:

Boston Logan International Airport is expected to be at its busiest throughout the Tournament period with fans expected in the days immediately before and after each match in the city. Ground transportation is also expected to be busier than usual.
If you regularly use one of the other regional airports in the area, we strongly advise you to check with the relevant airport operator to see if your trip could be affected.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR ROUTINE TRIPS COULD BE IMPACTED

We are asking the community to consider one or more of the following options on match days if you believe your routine travel could be affected by the Tournament:

Reduce non-essential trips – for example, work remotely if you can
Retime trips to outside the busiest periods – check the details above
Re-mode to less busy forms of travel – why not give public transportation, walk or cycle if you can
Re-route around those areas expected to be busy – remember it’s not just about what’s happening at the Stadium
Re-locate trips and stay local if you can – for example, why not visit your local convenience store instead of driving across town

We of course recognize that for some these changes may not be possible however we are asking all that can make a change to do so. Every little helps! And always, check to see if your trip could be affected and do not travel to the Stadium expecting to be able to buy a ticket on match day.

Advise For Via Roads:

Unless you have business in the area aim to avoid travelling by car in Downtown Boston on match days from up to 5 hours before kick-off and up to 5 hours after the final whistle.
Unless you have business in the area please aim to avoid travelling near the Stadium at Foxborough by car on match days from 6hrs before kick-off until 6 hours after the final whistle.
Parking and traffic management arrangements around the Stadium will be very different to a usual event, so please follow the advice and check before you travel.
If you are travelling by car to the event check out our fan travel advice. You will need to pre- book your parking and remember that tail-gating is not allowed. Spectator parking is only available to match ticket holders.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, City of Boston, Town of Foxborough and Town of Wrentham will be great sources of information.

Advice For Commuting Via Transit:

Unless you have business in Downtown Boston aim to avoid travelling by bus, train or subway on match days from up to 5 hours before kick-off and for up to 5 hours after the final whistle.
Avoid Boston South Station on match days from up to 6 hours before kick-off and for up to 5 hours after the final whistle.
Foxboro Station is likely to be closed to commuters on match days.
There are expected to be updates to train, bus, subway and ferry service schedules across the area (Downtown, Foxborough and beyond) during the event period. Details will be available here soon.
Check before you travel by train across the Tournament period (June 11th to July 19th) as many services are expected to be affected by changes necessary for the Tournament.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA website and guide will be great sources of information.

Keeping in touch

For travel updates and suggestions beyond this site, we recommend the following sources in addition to our Instagram page.