World Cup Transit Impacts Federal Way Rail

Regional leaders on May 13 told Seattle-area residents and World Cup visitors to plan on transit, walking and ferries rather than driving to the six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Lumen Field, which FIFA is calling Seattle Stadium. The push matters for South King County riders because Sound Transit’s 1 Line now reaches Federal Way Downtown, and the agency has issued separate match-day instructions for passengers traveling between SODO and Federal Way. Sound Transit said trains on the 1 Line and 2 Line will run every eight minutes all day on game days until 1 a.m., while Seattle and its partners are setting up shuttles, pedestrian zones and ferry contingencies to handle crowds. Seattle officials have said they want 80% of fans to reach the stadium without personal vehicles and expect roughly 750,000 visitors during the tournament. ### Which rail advice applies if you’re coming from Federal Way or heading back south? Sound Transit said riders traveling from SODO to Federal Way on the 1 Line should use Stadium Station and walk via South Royal Brougham Way. The agency gave the same instruction for southbound trips after matches: passengers heading from Seattle Stadium toward Federal Way should return through Stadium Station rather than Pioneer Square or International District/Chinatown. (kingcountymetro.blog) Sound Transit said the split-routing plan is meant to spread crowds across the three stations serving the stadium area. Northbound riders from Lynnwood through Symphony are being directed to Pioneer Square Station, while riders from the east and passengers with accessibility needs are being directed to International District/Chinatown Station because of the Weller Street Bridge elevator connection. (soundtransit.org) ### How much more service will the 1 Line run on match days? Sound Transit said in a March 2 release that the 1 Line and 2 Line will run every eight minutes all day on each game day, producing trains every four minutes in the downtown core. The agency also said service will run until 1 a.m. and that extra staff, security personnel and wayfinding support will be deployed at stations. (soundtransit.org) A Sound Transit presentation to its Community Oversight Panel on January 14 said the agency was planning eight-minute headways on both lines on game days, weekday special-event Sounder service and temporary charter bus support for rail contingencies. The same presentation listed Seattle’s six match dates as June 15, June 19, June 24, June 26, July 1 and July 6. (soundtransit.org) ### What changes downtown could affect a Federal Way rider after leaving the train? Seattle’s transportation department said Pioneer Square will become a pedestrian zone on the six match days, with streets near Lumen Field shifted toward walking access. The city said about 100,000 people are expected in and around the stadium area on match days, and that no public parking will be available in the North Lot or Event Center Parking Garage. (soundtransit.org) King County Metro said it will run a free Match Day Shuttle looping between Seattle Stadium and Seattle Center and a free Waterfront Shuttle operating from May 21 through Sept. 7. Metro also said it will add trips on busy routes, hold standby buses for crowding and increase water taxi trips and Metro Flex service. (sdotblog.seattle.gov) ### Are ferries and buses part of the backup plan too? Washington State Ferries said on April 16 that it plans more boats on standby, added staffing and a service contingency plan focused on maintaining its busiest routes during the tournament. SeattleFWC26’s transportation page also directs visitors to buses, ferries, streetcar service and accessibility tools as part of the regional travel plan. (kgw.com) Sound Transit said station parking will be very limited on match days and urged passengers to use connecting buses, bikes, scooters or drop-offs to reach Link and Sounder stations, although bicycles and scooters will not be allowed on Link or Sounder trains on match days. The agency is also offering a special $18 three-day ORCA pass valid across multiple agencies during the tournament. (wsdot.wa.gov) ### Where should riders check before the first match? FIFA’s published schedule and Sound Transit’s January presentation show Seattle’s first match is set for June 15 at noon. Sound Transit said riders should check its soccer-tournament page for service updates and route guidance, while SeattleFWC26 has a transportation page with links to regional travel options and accessibility information. (soundtransit.org) (soundtransit.org)