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
- MBTA FIFA World Cup 26™ Guide: https://www.mbta.com/guides/world-cup-guide
- MBTA Service Changes during World Cup: https://www.mbta.com/service-changes/service-changes-during-the-world-cup
- MBTA Service Alerts: https://www.mbta.com/alerts
- Commuter Rail schedules: https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR
- Massachusetts 511 (traffic conditions): https://www.mass511.com
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/.










