Travel Impacts
The information set out here describes when and where travel could be impacted and suggestions on how to navigate the potential travel challenges associated with hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Public transportation is expected to be the most reliable way to travel during the event period, and travelers are urged to plan ahead and check official updates before making their journeys.
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.
- Temporary traffic management measures and restricted access areas may be in place at certain times, particularly around the FIFA Fan Festival™ and key event locations.
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 is 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 hours before kick-off and away from the stadium for up to 3 hours after final whistle with fans and event 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 pre-booked in advance and is expected to be limited.
- Parking arrangements for the outlets at Patriot Place will be as usual and spaces will be protected for customers. 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:
- Foxboro Station will be closed to commuters on match days to safely accommodate fan movements.
- Boston Stadium Trains will operate on match days between Boston’s South Station and Foxboro Station providing dedicated express service to the stadium. These services are expected to carry many up to 20,000 passengers per match day and will require pre-purchased tickets via the MBTA mTicket app. . Crowding is expected at South Station on match days starting up to 6 hours 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 MBTA transit 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 organized Fan Walks may take place in Downtown Boston on match days further adding to challenges of those wishing to go about their everyday lives by train.
Train Services:
- Commuter Rail: Between June 8 and July 12, temporary service changes will be in place across the MBTA’s Commuter Rail to support the World Cup. For more information, visit mbta.com/WorldCupChanges.
- To help mitigate the impact on Commuter Rail riders, the following fare promotions will be available through June, July and August 2026:
- Free Summer Fridays: All Commuter Rail service will be free on Fridays in June, July, and August 2026, Regular fares will be in place for Boston Stadium Trains, the CapeFLYER, and any other special event trains to Foxboro.
- 50% Discount on Monthly Commuter Rail Passes: Calendar month Commuter Rail passes for June, July, and August 2026 will be discounted by 50%. Visit MBTA site for details.
- $1 Weekend “Summer Companion” Fare for Commuter Rail Monthly Pass Holders: Monthly pass holders may bring one companion on any weekend Commuter Rail trip covered by their pass for $1 each way. Visit MBTA site for more details.
Buses/Subway:
- Services and stations across Downtown Boston are expected to be busier than usual throughout the event, particularly on match days. This includes Park Street, Government Center and South Station. Allow extra time particularly during FIFA Fan Festival™ activity and peak match periods.
- MBTA extended evening service: All subway lines and select bus routes will run extended evening service after each World Cup match. On Saturday, June 13, all subway lines and select buses run until approximately 4 AM (into Sunday, June 14). After each weekday match, all subway lines and select buses run until approximately 2 AM. Routes with extended service include: Subway: Red, Orange, Green, and Blue lines . Bus: SL1, SL3, SL4 (June 13 only), SL5, 1, 22, 39, 66, and 110. Bus routes 23, 28, 57, 111, and 116 also run extended service seven days a week.
Boston Ferry Services:
- Local ferry services will run normal service, however they are likely to be much busier than usual across the period.
Air Travel:
- Boston Logan International Airport is expected to be at its busiest throughout the event 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. Travelers are encouraged to allow additional time when traveling to and from Logan Airport and to consider public transportation options such as the MBTA Blue Line and Logan Express.
- Ferry services and water taxis may provide an alternative travel option for getting to and from Logan.
- 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
You are strongly encouraged to consider one or more of the following options on match days if you believe your routine travel could be affected by the event:
- 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 ask those who can make a change to do so. And always, check real time travel information before you travel.
Specific matchday advice for those who usually travel by road:
- If you would normally drive around the downtown Boston or stadium area on match days we urge you to consider MassDOT’s advice to ‘Kick the drive’ if you can.
- 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 traveling by car to the event check out our fan travel advice. You will need to pre- book your parking. Spectator parking is only available to match ticket holders.
- Use Mass511 for real-time traffic conditions and updates across the region.
Advice For Commuting Via Transit:
- Expect traveling by bus, train or subway on match days to be busier than usual.
- Expect South Station on match days from up to 6 hours before kick-off and for up to 5 hours after the final whistle to be busier than usual If possible, use Back Bay or other nearby Red Line and Silver Line stations to access public transit.
- Foxboro Station will be closed to commuters on match days.
- MBTA will run extended evening service on all subway lines and select bus routes after each World Cup match. On Saturday, June 13, all subway lines and select buses run until approximately 4 AM (into Sunday, June 14) .After each weekday match, all subway lines and select buses run until approximately 2 AM. Routes with extended service include: Subway: Red, Orange, Green, and Blue lines . Bus: SL1, SL3, SL4 (June 13 only), SL5, 1, 22, 39, 66, and 110. Bus routes 23, 28, 57, 111, and 116 also run extended service seven days a week.
- On World Cup matchdays, additional changes will be in effect on all Commuter Rail lines in and out of South Station. For details on impacts to specific lines please check the MBTA website.
- 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.