As tens of thousands of fans were expected to attend the first match of the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles Friday, official Thursday reminded visitors that driving isn’t the only way to make it to the game.
For those coming from Orange, Ventura and San Diego counties, they were encouraged to take Amtrak Surfliner, which is running additional routes and dates, to get to Union Station.
Once reaching the transit hub, visitors can purchase the special edition FIFA World Cup TAP cards for LA Metro, which is running shuttle buses to the stadium and watch parties.
A team of about 2,000 transit agency employees will be deployed throughout Los Angeles County during the tournament to assist riders using the agency’s enhanced transit services, according to LA Metro officials.
About 2,000 employees were expected to leave their regular office assignments during the tournament to supplement bus operators, Metro Ambassadors, transit security personnel and other frontline staff. The workers will be placed throughout the transit system to help visitors traveling to matches, fan zones and other World Cup-related events, LA Metro said.
There will be 300 World Cup buses traveling from transit hubs across Southern California to SoFi Stadium, which is called Los Angeles Stadium during the World Cup.
“Anywhere in LA when there's big events, you do not want to be driving. Traffic, not just traffic but parking's outrageous,” Hermilia Bustamante said at Union Station.
Some parking facilities near the stadium were asking as much as $300 for one day even though they are a few blocks away from the game site, according to digital parking reservation services, including SpotHero.
Caltrans also encouraged fans to use public transportation, warning of heavy traffic on game days on signs along the freeways.
Los Angeles is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches during the tournament.
