MBTA Presents FIFA World Cup Transportation Plans
We have less than a year until the start of the World Cup, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is in the middle of drawing up how it will manage the thousands of fans.
We have less than a year until the start of the World Cup, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is in the middle of drawing up how it will manage the thousands of fans that will be riding its buses and trains.
Gillette Stadium, which will be renamed “Boston Stadium” during the tournament, will host seven games, including a quarterfinal. Six games will fall on a weekday.
The MBTA presented World Cup transportation plans to its board of directors today. FIFA has yet to release detailed information, such as match times (which will be announced in December), so the plans are not fully fledged.
Here are some main points from the meeting:
Gillette Stadium
FIFA will take over the stadium at the end of April to add new seats and remove the turf, according to MBTA senior advisor Erika Mazza.
Commuter Rail
The MBTA plans to move upwards of 20,000 passengers per game on the commuter rail to and from Foxboro. Event trains will be scheduled for the games, and the agency is aware of the expected demand, but did not provide additional information.
“The one thing that we do know, that the demand–the only thing that sells out faster, evidently, than a Beyoncé and a Taylor Swift ticket, is an MBTA ticket,” said Rod Brooks, another MBTA senior advisor.
FIFA estimates 12 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., or 9 p.m. games, which may create a myriad of challenges, including managing rush hour traffic at the same time as World Cup trains. The agency is also discussing how it would handle running the commuter rail past its typical hours of service for late games.
The full service plan will be finalized in February, with train and bus ticket sales going live in April or May. The MBTA will then conduct a stress test on the system and make any needed adjustments after the practice run.
Foxboro T Station
The Foxboro commuter rail station will be upgraded to be fully accessible. Currently, the station has a low-level platform and one mini high-platform.
The updates will include a high-level platform that spans the entire boarding area, as well as a temporary low-level platform on the other side of the tracks to allow for running more trains at the same time. The low-level platform will be removed after the tournament. Construction started this week and General Manager Phillip Eng said the Kraft Group is paying for the design, though they are in ongoing discussions for potential contributions to construction costs. The station is expected to be complete between April and June, according to the T’s presentation.
“We are working smartly and efficiently to make this happen,” an MBTA spokesperson told The Blazing Musket. “Once complete, the newly renovated station will serve upwards of 20,000 riders per match, and we’re committed to providing them a good experience. Beyond that, these renovations will ensure a world class transit experience for residents, visitors, and fans alike in the long-term.”
Funding
There are nearly 30 transit agencies across the country that will be providing service during the tournament. The MBTA has been working with them to push for more federal funding. The Senate approved a bill in late July that provides a combined $146 million for host cities to provide service for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
“We are hoping that they will meet our operational needs that we have identified. In the coming months,” said Mazza.
Fan Fest
The World Cup fan festival will run from June 11 - July 19. Though a location has not been finalized, it will likely be held at Boston’s City Hall Plaza. The agency has begun discussions over possible road closures in downtown Boston and how it would affect bus routes and ferry service.
Security
Security at the T stations will be akin to what you usually see during the Boston Marathon, according to Brooks. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be in charge of safety and security operations for World Cup transportation, and has been working in coordination with the MBTA Transit Police, Department of Homeland Security, as well as local police since 2023.