Tens of millions of dollars are being spent to get transportation systems ready to take fans to the World Cup’s 104 games.
All of the 11 U.S. World Cup venues are NFL stadiums so they are used to welcoming large crowds. Most fans for the World Cup, though, will likely be from out of town and unfamiliar with local means of transportation. The complicating factor is that on-site public parking will in some cases be limited or nonexistent. And parking will be very expensive.
The New Jersey transportation mess became a national political story, putting new attention on the complications of getting fans to stadiums often miles away from downtown locations. But many U.S. World Cup cities offer convenient and inexpensive (or free) transit.
A note of caution: Leave plenty of extra time to get to matches and have lots of patience getting home.
Atlanta
MARTA stops at SEC District, Vine City and Five Points stations, near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will offer extended hours and enhanced way-finding to get fans to the stadium.
• Ticket prices: $2.50 per ride (children under 46 inches can travel free with a paying adult).
FIFA parking prices begin at $99.99 for the first game, Spain-Capo Verde, on June 15, and go to $249.99 for the semifinal a month later.
Boston
Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium is located more than 30 miles from downtown Boston, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority recently introduced plans to operate 14 express “Boston Stadium” trains running from and to South Station.
• Ticket prices: Despite the cost of $80 — an increase from the normal $20-$25 for special events — more than 17,450 tickets were sold on the first day of sales for the first five World Cup matches in Foxboro.
Parking at nearby lots begins at $175 ($270 for the July 9 quarterfinal). By contrast, MLS’s Revs offer free parking at Gillette Stadium for regular-season games. A much-publicized ban on tailgating has been lifted. Boston organizers said tailgating will be allowed “like any other event hosted at the stadium, as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it.”
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