Metrolink Special Projects Director Michael Litschi displays two countdown clocks outside of his office: one for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and one for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As Southern California gears up to host one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, the FIFA World Cup 2026, Metrolink is preparing to play a pivotal role, moving scores of soccer fans, international visitors and the event’s workforce throughout the region during the five-week tournament.
Los Angeles will serve as one of 16 World Cup host cities in North America, with eight matches scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, beginning with a group stage match featuring Team USA on June 12 and culminating with a quarterfinal match on July 10. Each match will draw up to 70,000 spectators, with approximately 25,000 expected to arrive on public transit, including via a dedicated Los Angeles Metro shuttle between LA Union Station and SoFi Stadium.
Beyond the eight matches, multiple fan fests and watch parties are expected to be hosted throughout the region, further increasing demand for Metrolink service. Though the locations of the fan fests will not be finalized until early 2026, Metrolink is factoring these events into its broader World Cup service strategy.
As the clock counts down to summer 2026, Metrolink staff will be busy preparing operating plans, testing safety and security protocols, evaluating accessibility issues, advancing customer experience initiatives, implementing marketing and communications plans, and advocating for additional state and federal funding. Combined, these efforts will help ensure that Metrolink successfully accommodates the influx of World Cup fans while continuing to reliably serve existing riders who rely on Metrolink to get to work, school and leisure activities each day.
In planning for the World Cup, Metrolink will draw on successes and lessons learned from recent special events like the 2025 Dodgers World Series championship parade and will also stress test strategies to support future mega-events, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the next several years, Metrolink has an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its services on the world stage while creating legacy improvements that will continue to benefit the region long after the last fans have left the stadium.
(This article was written by Michael Litschi, Metrolink Special Projects Director.)