MBTA Reports Record-Breaking Train Ticket Sales for World Cup Matches

The transit agency sold over 17,450 tickets on the first day, signaling huge demand for the global soccer tournament.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:24am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-perspective view of a World Cup soccer match, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like electric blue, fiery orange, and emerald green, conceptually representing the excitement and complexity of hosting the global event.The MBTA's record-breaking train ticket sales for the World Cup matches in Massachusetts signal the massive interest and logistical challenges of hosting the global soccer tournament.Boston Today

The MBTA announced that it sold a record-breaking 17,450 Boston Stadium train tickets on Thursday for the first five World Cup matches hosted at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Nearly 11,000 round-trip tickets were sold within the first hour, and as many as 5,000 were purchased within the first 10 minutes.

Why it matters

The high demand for World Cup train tickets demonstrates the massive interest and excitement around hosting the global soccer tournament in Massachusetts. The MBTA will need to provide unprecedented train service to safely transport fans to the matches at Gillette Stadium.

The details

The $80 Boston Stadium train tickets are for the first five World Cup matches in Foxborough. Express trains from South Station to Gillette Stadium will run until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. Sunday, June 14, because of late Saturday night matches.

  • On Thursday, more than 17,450 Boston Stadium train tickets were sold.
  • Nearly 11,000 round-trip train tickets were sold within the first hour.
  • As many as 5,000 tickets were purchased within the first 10 minutes.

The players

Phillip Eng

Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO.

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What they’re saying

“The 2026 World Cup is no ordinary event, and we are privileged to have the opportunity to welcome all to experience Massachusetts.”

— Phillip Eng, Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO

What’s next

For daily riders with no World Cup plans, commuters should expect temporary schedule adjustments from June 8 to June 12. Those who decide to drive to the stadium on match days will have to pay $149 per car for the first few games and up.

The takeaway

The record-breaking train ticket sales for the World Cup matches in Massachusetts highlight the immense popularity of the global soccer tournament and the significant logistical challenges the MBTA will face in providing reliable and efficient transportation for the influx of fans.