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World Cup 2026: Philadelphia will offer free SEPTA rides after matches.
Summary
Philadelphia announced free SEPTA rides from NRG Station after each of its six World Cup 2026 matches, while Boston and New Jersey are planning higher-priced transit for matchgoers.
Content
Philadelphia's host committee announced an agreement with Airbnb to provide free rides on SEPTA trains for fans after matches. The service will run on the Broad Street Line from NRG Station starting at halftime and continuing for two hours after each match. Philadelphia is scheduled to host six World Cup 2026 matches. The move follows an earlier SEPTA statement that fares would otherwise be the normal $2.90.
Key details:
- Philadelphia and Airbnb will provide free rides on SEPTA's Broad Street Line from NRG Station beginning at halftime and continuing two hours after each of the city's six matches.
- SEPTA had announced normal fares of $2.90, but fans exiting near Lincoln Financial Field will not have to pay under the new arrangement.
- NJ Transit confirmed a $150 round-trip fare between New York's Penn Station and MetLife Stadium; New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said FIFA provided $0 for transportation and that NJ Transit faces a $48 million bill.
- In Boston, the MBTA announced round-trip train tickets to Foxborough during the 2026 World Cup will cost $80, about four times the usual $20 event fare.
- FIFA said the original 2018 host city agreements required free transportation, and that a 2023 adjustment allowed transport to be provided "at cost" for match ticket holders and accredited individuals.
Summary:
Philadelphia's free-ride plan reduces transit costs for local matchgoers and underscores differences in how host cities are handling World Cup transportation. Those differences reflect varied financial arrangements and recent changes to FIFA's host-city requirements. Undetermined at this time.
