This summer of football is bringing record demand to Seattle’s transit system. Last Friday, buses, shuttles, ferries, and water taxis carried 320,000 passengers—20% more than usual. Today the city hosts the fourth 2026 World Cup match between Egypt and Iran, which kicks off at 8:00 p.m. After the final whistle, officials expect a late surge of fans, so transit providers increased service in advance.
Water taxis from West Seattle are especially popular: last time, ridership reached a record 8,552 people. West Seattle sits on a peninsula separated from downtown by Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River—there is no direct drive connection, only bridges that are often overloaded. The water taxi offers a fast, scenic, and reliable alternative, particularly during major events. King County added an extra ferry after 4:00 p.m. and late trips until 12:15 a.m. Ferry ridership on Washington State Ferries also rose to 83,000 passengers, with a noticeably higher number of pedestrians and cyclists. The last departures from Pier 52 to Bremerton and Bainbridge leave after midnight.
Train riders should pay attention to Sounder commuter trains: the line usually runs only during peak hours (morning into the city, evening out) and after 7:00 p.m. it is nearly nonexistent. For major sporting events, Sound Transit adds special late trains immediately after matches end—often free with proof of a ticket. Additional service will run from Everett and Lakewood, arriving on King Street before the match and then heading back about an hour after it ends. And the summer’s standout is Sound Transit light rail: last Friday its ridership hit 280,000 passengers—an all-time record. The full 93-kilometer network is currently running until 1:00 a.m., and in downtown trains run every 4 minutes.
The light rail system is handling the surge—without any major disruptions. At stations where crowds build up, temporary barriers are used: after a train departs, the next group is held behind tape so the platform doesn’t become overcrowded. This “hands-on” approach, according to a Sound Transit spokesperson, helps avoid crushes and maintain safety.
Transit authorities are offering clear guidance: fans coming from the north (Lynnwood, North Seattle) should get off at Pioneer Square; visitors from the Eastside (cities east of Lake Washington, including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and others) who often ride Link light rail should use International District/Chinatown. The station is within walking distance of Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park and serves as a convenient transfer hub. People with mobility limitations are also advised to get off there. For those traveling from Rainier Valley, Sitaq, or Federal Way, the recommendation is Stadium Station. If the main station is overloaded, riders can use alternate routes, including the free Match Day Shuttle.
For anyone planning to drive, officials advise not to approach the stadiums: 20 blocks around Pioneer Square have been converted to pedestrian-only areas, and the waterfront is heavily congested. However, there is good news too: the state temporarily canceled all daytime construction work on I-5 and I-405, saving drivers 10–15 minutes during peak hours. Repairs to the Ship Canal Bridge on I-5 are set to resume only on July 11, so roads are noticeably freer right now.
Based on: Tips for using Seattle’s record-breaking transit on World Cup Friday