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SEPTA has released its transportation plans for the six FIFA World Cup games in Philly this summer, adding to its service to both the matches at Lincoln Financial Field and East Fairmount Park’s Lemon Hill Park, where the tournament’s free fan festival will be running throughout the tournament.
The agency’s plans include extra Broad Street Line (BSL) service to and from NRG Station in the Sports Complex, along with additional overnight train service for both the BSL and Market-Frankford Line, running every 30 minutes.
“We are thrilled to accommodate the thousands of visitors expected to take our system for safe, reliable, and convenient service to the FIFA World Cup events,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “SEPTA’s robust multimodal network was a key factor in Philadelphia’s selection as a host city, and we are ready to rise to the occasion.”
SEPTA already assured riders that it will keep that cost at the regular $2.90 – unlike in other U.S. host cities. The transit agency is also getting an additional $5.5 million in federal funds for extra service for the tournament.
There will also be complimentary rides from NRG Station and the end of each game, thanks to sponsorship from Airbnb. Those free rides will begin from each game’s halftime and continue for two hours after the final whistle. Rides down to the games will still be charged at $2.90.
For the festival at Lemon Hill, which will run every day from June 11 to July 19, SEPTA is adding service to the 32 and 48 bus routes, increasing the frequency to every 15 minutes or less, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Along with that, the Visitor Center’s PHLASH service is adding a new stop at Fairmount and Pennsylvania avenues, from which people can walk up to the park.
The five group stage games at the Linc — which will be temporarily called “Philadelphia Stadium” for sponsorship reasons — are on June 14, 19, 22, 25 and 27 and a round of 16 match will be on July 4. Gamedays will see much of the Sports Complex, its parking and Xfinity Live!, closed off to FIFA and ticket holders.
Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the tournament’s local host committee and fan fest organizers, have urged people not to drive to Lemon Hill unless it’s through a rideshare service, since there will be no parking there.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is also issuing temporary residential parking permits to Brewerytown and Fairmount residents, and will increase patrolling during the festival.
The city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems is holding a virtual information session from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. tonight, offering further details about the impact the fan fest will have on the area.
SEPTA said it expects around 31,000 riders on the BSL during each game, and expects its increased service to move about 15,000 people per hour. Lemon Hill organizers expect to get up to 20,000 fans on the busiest days, with a maximum of 15,000 people allowed into the space at any time.
Be sure to check out Billy Penn’s guide to the World Cup games in Philly, which offers a crash course in what teams and players you’ll likely see this summer, how you can watch the games and which local soccer players could make the United States team for the competition. That 26-man roster will be announced May 26, 2026, in New York City.
