Massachusetts' MBTA braces for an unprecedented trial in the near future
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is gearing up for an unprecedented challenge as it prepares to manage transportation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Boston. With the tournament set to take place from June 13 to July 9, 2026, the MBTA aims to handle the influx of approximately 20,000 passengers per game traveling to and from Foxborough, where the Gillette Stadium is located 23 miles from Boston.
Infrastructure Upgrades
The MBTA is renovating Foxboro Station with a new full-length, ADA-accessible platform to handle large crowds efficiently. The Kraft Group, the stadium owners, are contributing to the design costs, with discussions ongoing about construction costs. A key part of the renovation is the installation of a new permanent platform, which will improve accessibility for all passengers.
Expanded Service and Operating Plans
By February 2026, the MBTA will finalize train schedules and begin selling special match-day commuter rail tickets in spring. The agency will increase train, bus, subway, and ferry service, and has set a construction blackout period during the tournament to avoid disruptions. This will ensure that the MBTA can provide reliable service to both match-day fans and local commuters.
Crowd and Schedule Management
With seven matches—six on weekdays and kickoff times potentially ranging from 12 pm to 9 pm—the MBTA faces the challenge of balancing match-day fans with regular commuters, schools, and daily activities. This requires precise timing and operational coordination to avoid peak hour conflicts.
Multilingual and International Traveler Services
To accommodate the international audience, the MBTA is expanding language signage, apps, and streamlining ticketing processes. They are working with FIFA and the Boston Host Committee to provide multilingual communication and a comprehensive public information campaign to educate fans and residents on travel planning during the event.
Funding and Coordination
The MBTA is part of a nationwide push seeking $400 million federal funding to boost service, security, wages, and related costs for World Cup operations, though final funding is still pending. The agency is also coordinating with other public transit agencies, including Amtrak and officials in neighboring states.
The planning effort also involves coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement, with the scale of the event requiring a level of security and interagency coordination on par with the Boston Marathon. The World Cup spans five-and-a-half work weeks and overlaps with the last eight days of the Boston school year.
Special Events and Dry Runs
Six of the seven matches in Foxborough fall on weekdays, with start times ranging from noon to 9 p.m. A "dry run" of game-day transportation is planned in the months before the tournament. The Fan Festival will host near-daily events, including marquee matches that organizers hope to broadcast at City Hall Plaza.
Cost and Ticketing
Currently, round-trip tickets to concerts and Pats games cost $20. The MBTA expects high interest in the limited seats on its gameday trains, which will run with special event tickets similar to Patriots games or high-profile concerts.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup fifth match will take place in Foxborough on a specific date, which is 10 months from the date mentioned. The number of fans transported on match days is nearly twice as many as those who took the MBTA commuter rail for the Army-Navy football game in December 2023.
In addition, an armada of tall ships will arrive in Boston Harbor for six days starting July 11, adding another layer of excitement to the city during the World Cup. The MBTA's preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a testament to the agency's ability to handle large-scale events and serve the needs of both local commuters and international visitors.
- The renovation of Foxboro Station includes a new permanent platform for improved accessibility, a project that the Kraft Group is contributing to the design costs for.
- In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the MBTA is planning to expand its transportation services, including train, bus, subway, and ferry, to cater to the estimated 20,000 passengers per game and avoid disruptions.
- To accommodate the international visitors attending the football matches, the MBTA is enhancing multilingual communication, including language signage, apps, and streamlined ticketing processes.
- To ensure effective management, the MBTA is collaborating with public transit agencies, law enforcement agencies, and involved parties from neighboring regions, anticipating a level of security and interagency coordination on par with events like the Boston Marathon.
