World Cup in the 206: How to Move Like a Pro with King County Metro
Seattle, the world is officially coming to our front door. With the FIFA World Cup tournament running from June 11th through July 19th, 2026, the city expects up to 750,000 visitors to flood our streets.
With six Seattle match days and four official downtown fan celebrations on the calendar, traffic is going to be… well, a lot. But we’ve got some good news. King County Metro is stepping up to make sure that whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just a local trying to get to brunch, you can navigate the city without the headache of gridlock or parking woes.
The New Ways to Move
Metro is launching several special services to help manage the surge and keep our city moving efficiently:
Free Match Day Shuttles: If you’re heading to the stadium for a match, take advantage of the special Metro Match Day Shuttle. These are free rides connecting downtown fan celebrations directly to the stadium, sponsored by Seattle FWC26 and its Host City Supporters.
The Waterfront Shuttle: This is a game-changer. A new, seasonal, free shuttle will connect the stadium area, Seattle Center, the downtown waterfront, Pioneer Square, the Chinatown-International District, and King Street Station. It’s the perfect way to hop between the city’s major hotspots without moving your car.
Expanded Accessibility: Metro is rolling out an Accessible Match Day Shuttle on game days, connecting Link light rail, the Mariners Garage, and the stadium to ensure all fans can get where they need to go.
More Service, More Often: Metro is adding more trips to high-ridership routes and increasing the number of Metro Flex vehicles available for on-demand neighborhood connections.
Making It Easy
Don't worry about fumbling for exact change or waiting in line. Metro has simplified the process for everyone:
Tap to Pay: Boarding is faster than ever. You can tap to pay at all doors using an ORCA card, a contactless credit or debit card, or your mobile wallet on participating services.
Puget Pass: If you’re planning on making multiple trips throughout the summer, the three-day ORCA pass is a convenient, cost-effective option for both residents and visitors.
Rider Support: On busy event days, look for Metro staff on the ground. They’ll be there to help you find your way to the right transit option, answer questions, and keep things moving smoothly.
Plan Ahead: Flip Your Trip
Our biggest advice? Don't drive alone. King County Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation are heavily encouraging everyone to "Flip Your Trip"—shifting away from single-occupancy vehicles. There are even targeted incentives to help riders connect to park-and-rides and major transit hubs via bike, scooter, or rideshare.
Behind the scenes, Metro’s security and operational teams are prepping heavily to keep the system safe and reliable. Our goal is to ensure that even with the massive influx of visitors, we can all still get where we need to go easily, cleanly, and safely.
So, keep your ORCA card handy, check the maps, and let’s show the world how Seattle gets down.
Learn more about King County Metro’s plan for The World Cup at kingcounty.gov/metro/SEA26
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