Foxboro World Cup Travel Costs Are Shocking FIFA Fans

The World Cup is coming to Foxboro this June, and while that should bring nothing but excitement, the reality is hitting a little different for fans trying to figure out how to actually get there.

The MBTA has officially started selling tickets for its special “Boston Stadium Train” service to Gillette Stadium, and people aren’t exactly celebrating the news.

If you’re a SouthCoast resident thinking about making the trip, here’s what you need to know before you even think about kickoff. The MBTA will run a dedicated commuter rail service between South Station and Foxboro Station for all seven matches being played locally, with the purple line handling 14 daily trips and roughly 20,000 seats available per match.

That Price Jump Is Turning Heads

Here’s where things start to sting. A typical commuter rail trip from South Station to Foxboro usually runs about $8.25, and even for special events you’re looking at roughly $20. For the World Cup? Try around $80. That’s more than four times the usual cost, and it’s definitely raising some eyebrows.

According to the MBTA, the increase is tied to what they’re calling “unprecedented” service levels, with more than $35 million being poured into upgrades like track improvements, infrastructure work, additional staffing and heightened security. On top of that, subway and bus services will run later than usual on match days, stretching into the early morning hours.

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There Are A Few Catches

Getting a seat on the train isn’t as simple as just showing up. Tickets are only available through the MBTA mTicket app, and you’ll need to already have a valid match ticket for that specific day just to purchase one. So no, you can’t just hop on for the ride.

Driving? That’s A Whole Different Game

If you were thinking about driving, that comes with its own set of challenges. Parking at Gillette Stadium is being reduced from about 20,000 spaces to just 5,000 due to FIFA’s expanded security perimeter.

READ MORE: South Coast Rail: Is It the Game-Changer We Hoped For?

Every spot must be reserved and paid for in advance, requires a valid match ticket, and comes with a hefty price tag. Starting at $149.99 for group stage matches and climbing as high as $245 for the quarterfinals. Oh, and tailgating? That’s off the table.

You Should Definitely Plan Ahead

At the end of the day, this isn’t your typical game day at Gillette. Between limited parking, stricter rules and significantly higher transportation costs, fans are going to need to plan ahead more than ever.

It’s the World Cup after all. It's one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, and everything about it, including getting there, is operating on a completely different level.

Good luck.

Additional reporting by Matthew Barth