MBTA Price Surge Leaves World Cup Fans Frustrated

In case you missed it, a little event is taking place in Foxboro this summer called the World Cup.

A total of seven FIFA World Cup matches are scheduled for Gillette Stadium between June 13 and July 9.

These matches are a BFD in the world of professional soccer and will draw fans from around the globe. Already, many of them are PO'ed.

Fans Frustrated by ‘Boston’ Location Confusion

Soccer fans in "Jolly Old England" and elsewhere, thinking they are attending a match in Boston, are learning the "Boston Stadium" is actually Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, 34 miles away. For many, getting from Boston to Gillette and back to their overpriced hotel requires a train.

Those thinking about renting a car have probably never attempted to traverse and find parking on Route 1 to attend a concert or a football game at the stadium.

MBTA Ticket Prices Spark Backlash

Boston Public Radio station WBUR reported, "Commuter rail tickets to Foxboro station for World Cup matches will cost $80 roundtrip."

"That's $50 more than what it cost soccer fans who traveled by rail for a friendly match between France and Brazil in late March," according to WBUR.

The New York Post reported the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority confirmed it is "quadrupling the price of a ticket that would normally cost event goers $20 under normal circumstances." The paper reported that Boston's World Cup fans are facing an "outrageous 400 percent increase in train ticket pricing."

The World Cup matches will overlap with the Commonwealth's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary, featuring the 4th of July and the Tall Ships Parade, creating a surge of events that will heavily strain the mass transit system.

To help regular commuters during this time, the Healey Administration is offering several discounts on the commuter rail.

According to the MBTA, special event "Boston Stadium Train" tickets for the 2026 World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium are on sale exclusively through the mTicket app.

Travel, Lodging and Infrastructure Concerns Grow

Accommodations could be a problem for many who will travel to Massachusetts during the summer. Airbnb was offering bonus money to those willing to allow their homes to be used for lodging.