Plan ahead: South Sound transit guide, options for FIFA World Cup in Seattle
If you’re heading to the FIFA World Cup in Seattle this summer, you may want to think twice before grabbing your car keys. Road closures, pedestrian zones, and an estimated 750,000 visitors in SoDo could make for a massive gameday headache.
In preparation for soccer’s biggest stage, the city has expanded transit options — including those from Tacoma and the South Sound. Here’s a rundown of how fans can leave their car behind and attend matches without the gridlock hassle.
SEATTLE FIFA WORLD CUP 26 SCHEDULE
GROUP STAGE
Monday, June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt, 12 p.m. PT
Friday, June 19: Australia vs. USA, 12 p.m. PT
Wednesday, June 24: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar, 12 p.m. PT
Friday, June 26: Egypt vs. Iran, 8 p.m. PT
ROUND OF 32
Wednesday, July 1: TBD vs. TBD, 1 p.m. PT
ROUND OF 16
Monday, July 6: TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. PT
LINK LIGHT RAIL — 1 LINE
Sound Transit will increase Link Light Rail service on match days, operating trains every eight minutes until 1 a.m.
South Sound locals can board light rail trains at Federal Way Downtown Station, the 1 Line’s southernmost stop, or park and ride from Angle Lake Station in SeaTac. Parking is free for Sound Transit commuters for up to 24 hours at station garages, but expect spaces to fill early. Federal Way Downtown Station offers 1,192 parking spaces; Angle Lake Station offers 1,160.
Link Light Rail tickets can be purchased day-of at station kiosks, with an Orca Card, or using the Transit Go mobile app. Traveling with a group? The mobile app might be the best bet, allowing riders to purchase and activate multiple tickets on a single device.
One-way tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for seniors (ages 65+). Those 18 and under ride free.
Both Stadium Station or International District/Chinatown Station are viable options to arrive at Seattle Stadium (known locally as Lumen Field) on match days.
SOUNDER TRAIN — S LINE
Sound Transit’s Sounder Train (S Line) will offer special event trains before each of the city’s three afternoon weekday group stage matches on June 15 (Belgium vs. Egypt), June 19 (Australia vs. USA), and June 24 (Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar). Trains will depart from Lakewood Station at 9:26 a.m. with regular stops at South Tacoma, Tacoma Dome, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila, arriving at King Street Station roughly 80 minutes before kickoff.
Sound Transit announced special event trains for the Friday, July 26 match between Egypt and Iran, departing Lakewood Station at 3:52 p.m. and 5:16 p.m. ahead of the scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff. Tacoma residents can use the Link Light Rail T Line for connections to Sounder service at Tacoma Dome Station.
“Tacoma’s T Line will run trains every 12 minutes on game days and extend service for evening matches to meet Sounder passengers at Tacoma Dome Station,” Sound Transit said.
On July 1, the regularly-scheduled 10:11 a.m. departure from Lakewood Station will serve as an event train to the Round of 32 match (teams TBD).
On July 6, Sound Transit will add a special event train to the S Line, departing Lakewood Station at 2:26 p.m. for the Round of 16 match (teams TBD) scheduled for 5 p.m.
One-way fares range from $3.25 to $5.75, depending on distance traveled. One-way senior tickets (ages 65+) are offered for $1, and those aged 18 and under ride free.
Sounder’s N Line serves fans between Everett and Seattle. Sound Transit’s full service schedule for the Sounder Train (S Line and N Line) can be found here.
SOUND TRANSIT EXPRESS BUS (594)
Sound Transit offers express buses on Interstate 5 to and from Seattle Stadium roughly every 30 minutes, seven days a week. For those in Tacoma, Route 594 is the best bet — shuttling passengers from Tacoma Dome Station to Seattle’s Stadium District in roughly 48 minutes (travel times will vary depending on traffic).
Here’s a stop-by-stop guide for northbound locals boarding the Sound Transit 594 Express on match day:
- Lakewood Station
- 512 Park and Ride (Zone J)
- Commerce Street Station (Zone D)
- Pacific Ave & S 14th Street
- Pacific Ave & S 19th Street
- 24th Street S & Pacific Ave
- Tacoma Dome Station (Zone B)
Exit the bus at SODO Busway & S Royal Brougham Way (or at 4th Ave S & S Jackson Street) for access to Seattle Stadium.
Route 594 operates until roughly 11:45 p.m., though Sound Transit announced overnight ST Express service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Downtown Seattle.
Of the aforementioned stops for ST Express 594, free parking (up to 24 hours) is available at Lakewood Station, 512 Park and Ride, and Tacoma Dome Station. Expect spaces to fill early.
One-way bus fares are $3, senior tickets are $1, and those ages 18 and under ride free.
