Meeting_Body
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
APRIL 15, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP READINESS REPORT
Action
ACTION: ORAL REPORT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE oral report on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Issue
ISSUE
Los Angeles County is set to host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup in 2026 from June 12th to July 10th. This presents a unique opportunity and challenge for Metro to provide efficient and accessible transit services to its existing customer base and a broader global audience. Six of the matches are on weekdays and two are on Sundays, with start times varying between 12PM, 6PM and 7PM. As of April 15, 2026, there will be 58 days until the tournament begins.
There is limited parking at the Los Angeles Stadium due to a larger security perimeter and FIFA fan zone and hospitality activations. This creates a need for Metro to provide service for 25,000 spectators for each match, consistent with FTA Charter Regulations.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro has an official partnership to be the “Official Public Transit Provider” and a “2026 Los Angeles World Cup Host City Supporter” charged with transporting 25,000 fans during each of the eight games. To achieve this without impacting service to existing riders, Metro created a World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service (WCGETS) consisting of 300 buses operating on 15 routes originating from transit hubs and temporary park and ride locations. This fleet of 300 buses is divided between Metro, Regional Transit Providers, and a Charter company.
In addition, Metro established 16 workstreams working across the agency to cover all areas of a fan’s journey experience, from the planning of service, security, station events; fare payment, wayfinding, signage and accessibility; through game day operations and tournament activations.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The 16 Workstreams Metro established to work on the World Cup, are consistent with the SETGO Industry Playbook on special events that Metro lead the development of, in collaboration with over 30 transit agencies across the country. Three portfolios are created to group the various functions of the workstreams. With a short 58 days until the start of the World Cup, all workstreams are working expeditiously to prepare to host the world.
The Service portfolio ensures that there is a safe and efficient way for everyone to get to the stadium on gamedays. This includes the development of the WCGETS, establishment of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with Regional Transit Providers and other entities, as well as the coordination with all law enforcement partners. The workstreams contained in this portfolio are WCGETS Service Planning, Operations, Fleet Enhancements, Speed and Reliability, Temporary Park & Ride Facilities, and Safety & Security.
Key milestones achieved this quarter for the Service portfolio are:
• Finalized terminals at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
• Finalized agreements with Intuit Dome East Garage and El Camino College as high access drop-off and pick-up locations
• Finalized WCGETS service plan and completed routing test
• Finalized MOUs with 16 Regional Transit Providers
• Contract approval for charter bus service in support of WCGETS
• Development of bus and operator communications technology
• Standardized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for gameday operations
• Preparation of Metro WCGETS fleet, including “make ready” 65 donated buses from Santa Monica BBB, San Diego MTS, Central Area Transportation Authority (CATA), City of Phoenix, AZ
• Implementation of the Park and Ride reservation system
• Pilot development of the RIITS regional event management solution for real time traffic management
• Completed three of seven Table Top and Full Scale Exercises and three station infrastructure simulations.
The Access portfolio is designed to connect fans to the WCGETS service, from planning their trip to day of use of the system. There are improvements to the signage, infrastructure, accessibility, ability to pay and overall messaging to the public. The workstreams contained in this portfolio are Infrastructure, Fare Payment/TAP, Customer Info/Signage/Wayfinding, Finance & Budget, Accessibility/Universal Mobility, and Marketing/Communications.
Key milestones achieved this quarter for the Access portfolio are:
• 100 Days Out press events
• Finalizing the wayfinding kit of parts
• Complete the bus wrap designs for the WCGETS fleet
• Piloting accessibility sensory pods
• Full scale pilot of the infrastructure activations and signage deployment at two hub locations
• Pilot open loop payment
• Launched Marketing & Communications working group with Regional Transit Providers
• Confirmation from the Host Committee for running ADA transport between drop off locations and the stadium entrance
The Experience portfolio improves the customer journey through bringing to life the games throughout LA county. This includes increasing staffing presence to help guide the customers on their journey to matches, improved health safety, increased overall World Cup presence around our system, and with the understanding that not everyone will be attending matches there are station activations and connections to local events being planned. This workstreams in this portfolio are Surprise & Delight, Metro Station Events & Activations, Heat Mitigation, and Metro Values in Practice (MVP) Program.
Key milestones achieved this quarter for the Experience portfolio are:
• The Union Station official Fan Zone is finalizing plans and prepared to launch on allocated days of the tournament.
• Sponsors have been secured for hydration stations.
• Metro’s MVP Program launched with internal staff signing up to work the events
• Completed bus shelter advertisements for heat mitigation
• Finalizing Metro’s deployment plans to staff all official Fan Zones across the county and the FIFA Fan Fest at the Coliseum
• Procurement of Fan Zone Activation Kit of Parts
• Wrapped the countdown clock in Union Station with official Metro’s Official Transit Provider print
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro is committed to ensuring equitable access through universal design practices for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. As part of these efforts, Metro is implementing mobility enhancements so that every fan, regardless of ability, can enjoy a dignified and barrier-free journey to accommodate people with strollers and disabilities, as well as seniors. This includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) drop-offs, wayfinding/signage, heat mitigation, and seamless fare payment methods. Metro is also collaborating with Access Services to provide specialized transportation for individuals with disabilities. These initiatives reflect Metro’s dedication to inclusivity and equitable transportation solutions. Metro will continue to maintain the service levels required to transport the existing customer base and the communities near World Cup venues.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through planning and operational activities that will benefit and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s work to support the upcoming World Cup matches in Los Angeles will focus on getting spectators to and from events using transit rather than driving alone. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Chris Reyes, Senior Director, Operations Support, (213) 418-3119
Joe Forgiarini, Senior Executive Officer, (213) 418-3400
Matt Dake, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-4061
Edna Stanley, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-4084
Aldon Bordenave, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 922-4404
Steven Gota, Executive Officer, (213) 922-3043
Stacie Endler, Senior Director, (213) 547-4209
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-3227
Jeff Zimm, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 418-3264
Ben Alcazar, Senior Director, (213) 922-2634
Pam Krebs, Executive Officer, (213) 922-6931
Manish Chaudhari, Senior Executive Officer, (213) 922-2097
Hayarpi Tosunyan, Senior Director, Finance, (213) 922-3839
Lilly O’Brien, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 259-7480
Nancy Saravia, Executive Officer, (213) 922-1217
Ron Eagle, Deputy Executive Officer
Susanna Reyes, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 393-9742
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer and Chief of World Cup Delivery, (213) 418-3034
