FIFA World Cup 26™: What Alewife Commuters Should Expect
May 5, 2026

With FIFA World Cup 26™ coming to the region, travel patterns across Greater Boston will look very different—especially on match days. While it’s exciting that the region will be part of a global sporting event, it will also bring noticeable changes to how people move through the transportation system. 


While games will be played at Gillette Stadium, the impacts won’t be limited to Foxborough. 


Alewife Station, a major park-and-ride and Red Line terminal, is expected to see increased activity from fans heading into Boston before continuing to the stadium. South Station will serve as the primary departure point for special event trains to Foxborough, bringing additional riders inbound from Alewife and surrounding communities. 


For regular commuters, this will likely mean fuller trains, more congestion in and around the station, and a commute that may take longer—or feel less predictable—than usual. 


As the transportation management association for the Alewife area, Alewife TMA is sharing what to expect and how to plan ahead as regional travel demand increases during FIFA World Cup 26™. 

Game dates are expected to have the greatest impact on regional travel during FIFA World Cup 26™.


The match schedule for the whole tournament is available here

 

The most significant congestion is expected 2–4 hours before matches and 1–3 hours after matches end. These windows will often overlap with typical afternoon and evening commute periods.

Game Date Game Time
Saturday, June 13 9:00pm
Tuesday, June 16 6:00pm
Friday, June 19 6:00pm
Tuesday, June 23 4:00pm
Friday, June 26 3:00pm
Monday, June 29 4:30pm
Thursday, July 9 4:00pm

Why Alewife Will Be Busier Than Usual 


Alewife is one of the region’s largest park-and-ride facilities and a key northern gateway to the MBTA Red Line. During FIFA World Cup 26™, that role becomes even more important. 


Because South Station will be the main rail connection to Gillette Stadium, many fans are expected to drive to Alewife, park in the garage, and continue by Red Line into Boston. From there, riders will connect to special event trains or head to downtown fan activities, including a multi-day fan festival at City Hall Plaza. 


This will create steady, all-day demand across the system—not just during traditional peak commuting hours. 


Parking note: Alewife parking is first-come, first-served and often fills on a normal weekday. During FIFA World Cup 26™, it may fill earlier than usual. No special event parking program has been announced. 

What Travel Impacts to Expect 


Alewife commuters should expect: 

  • Earlier-than-normal parking garage fill times 
  • Increased crowding on inbound Red Line trains 
  • Heavier congestion on Route 2, Alewife Brook Parkway, and Fresh Pond Parkway 
  • Additional pressure on Memorial Drive, Storrow Drive, and I-93 
  • More midday travel activity alongside peak commute hours 
  • Higher demand and longer waits for rideshare services 
  • Evening commute overlap with event-related travel 

How to Plan Your Commute 


To help reduce delays and improve reliability: 

  • Shift your schedule if you have flexibility 
  • Work from home on high-impact days, if possible 
  • Check MBTA and traffic updates before leaving 
  • Avoid unnecessary trips through downtown Boston 
  • Walk or bike for short local trips when practical 


Even small adjustments in timing can make travel more predictable during peak periods. 


Where to Get Travel Information 



Alewife TMA will continue sharing updates as more information becomes available. 


Keeping Alewife Moving 


FIFA World Cup 26™ will bring temporary but significant changes to regional travel. With advance planning and flexibility where possible, many of the impacts can be managed. 


Alewife TMA will continue working with local partners to share timely updates and support reliable commuting options throughout FIFA World Cup 26™. 


Employers can help by encouraging flexible schedules and remote work on peak travel days. Commuters can help by planning ahead, adjusting routines when possible, and allowing extra travel time when needed. 


For questions or support, contact director@alewifetma.com/. 

By Hanna Morris April 17, 2026
Commuting is something you do every day—so why not make it work for you? Alewife TMA is proud to introduce GoMassCommute , a smarter, more rewarding way to plan your commute, access valuable benefits, and earn rewards simply for getting to work. GoMassCommute is a collaborative effort among Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) across Massachusetts, and is supported with grant funding from MassDOT. As commuting patterns evolve and flexibility becomes more important than ever, GoMassCommute brings everything you need into one easy-to-use platform—whether you drive, take transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, or work from home. Alewife TMA upgraded from eCommuter to GoMassCommute to provide a more modern, user-friendly experience with enhanced tools— like an easy-to-use app and automated trip tracking , which makes logging your commute effortless. But this isn’t just a trip planner. It’s a platform that actively supports better commuting choices—while rewarding you for making them.
By Hanna Morris March 24, 2026
Every commute has a story, and in Alewife TMA’s “Commuter Spotlight” series, we share about the commuters whose daily trips keep our community moving. This month, we caught up with Alexa Shier, a member of the People Operations team at Invaio Sciences, located at TMA member building 75 Moulton (The Quad) to learn more about her transit-and-shuttle commute from Somerville to Cambridge . . . proof that even a multi-step journey can have a few bright spots along the way. Alewife TMA: Please tell our readers a little about you. Where do you work and what do you do there? Alexa: I’m a member of the People Operations team at Invaio Sciences, an agricultural biotechnology company. I support initiatives that help create a positive employee experience. TMA: How do you commute to work daily? Alexa: My commute is definitely a journey! I live in Somerville and work in Cambridge, so each morning I take the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, transfer to the Red Line, ride to Alewife, and then hop on the Alewife TMA Loop Shuttle that brings me to the office. It is definitely a multi-step process! 
By Hanna Morris February 24, 2026
In 2025, the Alewife TMA turned everyday commutes into meaningful impact, strengthening connections across the community. From expanded shuttle service and on-site commuter events to monthly challenges, bike support, and the first annual Stuff A Shuttle drive, the year was defined by collaboration and momentum. With new tools and programs launching in 2026, Alewife TMA is building on that energy to make sustainable commuting even easier and more rewarding.
By Hanna Morris February 9, 2026
Commuting through Alewife? Discover walkable coffee shops, breakfast, lunch, and after-work spots near Alewife Brook Parkway—no car needed.
March 18, 2025
2024 has been a year of progress for sustainable commuting in our community! From reducing carbon footprints to expanding commuting options, Alewife TMA has made meaningful strides—thanks to our engaged members, partners, and commuters like you. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2025! 
By Hanna Morris February 4, 2025
Alewife TMA Commuter Spotlight: Sitaram Meena, PhD
By Hanna Morris August 27, 2024
No Red Line Service Between JFK/UMass & Braintree, Sep 6–29 Free Shuttle Buses: During the shutdown, free shuttle buses will make stops at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston, North Quincy, and Ashmont. Commuter Rail will be FREE between Braintree and South Station: Use the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston lines for service from Braintree. Use the Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston, and Greenbush lines for service from Quincy Center (except for during the weekend closures). MBTA personnel will be available to assist riders. Commuter Rail Weekend Closures: The weekends of September 7th–8th and 14th–15th Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree. Shuttles will run directly between South Staton and Braintree. At Quincy Center use Red Line Shuttle to Braintree to Connect to South Station. MBTA officials say once the track work is completed, it will improve round-trip Braintree Branch travel times by as much as 24 minutes, running service up to the maximum allowable speed of 40 miles per hour. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures.
By Melissa Zampitella July 12, 2024
Beginning at 8:15 PM on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28 there will be no Red Line trains running between Alewife Station and Kendall/MIT Station. The following options will be available: Free shuttle buses will make stops at all closed stations Express shuttle buses will stop at only Alewife, Porter, and Kendall/MIT A Shuttle Loop will operate from Harvard to Central to Kendall/MIT and back to Harvard. Free Commuter Rail between Porter Square and North Station plus an extra shuttle train (doubling Commuter Rail service) Five Free Bluebikes rides with code: MBTAREDJULY MBTA Bus #77 (Arlington Heights – Harvard) will be fare-free within Cambridge On weekdays evenings after 8:30 PM the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no red line service between Alewife and Park Street Shuttle buses will stop at all stations between Alewife and Part Street. On Weekends: July 13-14 : the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS July 20-21 : the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no service between Alewife and Park Street July 27-28: the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS  Shuttle buses will stop at all closed stations. Note : Riders needing to go beyond Park Street will need to transfer to another shuttle at Park Street to go on to JFK/UMASS. The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree. The important thing to keep in mind is that there will be shuttle buses at all locations where Red Line service is closed. There will be signage and MBTA staff to assist riders in getting where they need to go. Below are a few good resources to find the most up-to-date information. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures
June 3, 2024
Commuter Spotlight: Red Line Rider
May 2, 2024
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource.
Show More