World Cup 2026 disrupts Massachusetts transit with late-night trains and fare deals
The 2026 World Cup will bring changes to Massachusetts public transport from June 8 to July 9. Seven soccer matches at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium—temporarily renamed 'Boston Stadium'—will affect MBTA schedules across trains and buses. The first match kicks off on June 13 at 9 p.m., with extended late-night services to help fans get home. All subway lines and certain bus routes will run until 4 a.m. the following morning. For the remaining games, trains and select buses will operate until roughly 2 a.m.
The MBTA will add up to 14 special trains from South Station to Foxboro for each matchday. Round-trip tickets for these services will cost $80. However, regular Commuter Rail lines will see reduced service throughout the tournament, with further cuts on matchdays. The Fairmount Line will skip Readville entirely, while the Franklin/Foxboro Line will suspend stops at Foxboro, Readville, and Windsor Gardens. To ease travel, the MBTA is introducing 'Free Fridays' on the Commuter Rail for June, July, and August. Monthly passes will also be discounted by 50% during the summer. Extended bus routes on matchdays include SL1, SL3, SL4 (June 13 only), SL5, 1, 22, 39, 66, and 110.
The tournament’s impact on transport will last just over a month. Fans attending matches can expect extra train options, though regular services will face temporary reductions. The MBTA’s adjustments aim to balance accessibility with ongoing operational changes.
