Santa Cruz METRO to Provide Special Service for FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches
For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Contact: Danielle Frost
(831) 420-2550
dfrost@scmetro.org
Santa Cruz, CA (June 9, 2026)— Santa Cruz METRO will provide special late-night Highway 17 Express service for select FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Levi’s Stadium, helping riders travel between Santa Cruz County and the San Jose Diridon Station connection point before and after evening games.
With large crowds, traffic, street closures, and high parking demand expected around Levi’s Stadium during FIFA World Cup 2026, METRO is encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead and consider transit as a convenient, affordable alternative to driving.
Riders can take METRO’s Highway 17 Express from Santa Cruz County to San Jose Diridon Station, then connect to partner rail or transit service to reach Great America Station, located a short walk from Levi’s Stadium. The Highway 17 Express serves the River Front Transit Center area in downtown Santa Cruz and the Cavallaro Transit Center in Scotts Valley.
For select evening matches, METRO will add late-night return trips from San Jose Diridon Station to help riders return to Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz after the games.
Special late-night return service will be available on:
- Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Added return trips will depart at 12:30 a.m. and 1:50 a.m.
- Friday, June 19, 2026: Added return trips will depart at 12:30 a.m.
- Monday, June 22, 2026: Added return trips will depart at 12:30 a.m.
“FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring people from across the region and around the world to the Bay Area, and METRO is proud to help connect Santa Cruz County to this historic event,” said Corey Aldridge, CEO Santa Cruz METRO. “By providing special late-night Highway 17 Express service, we are giving riders another option to avoid traffic, reduce parking stress, and get home safely after the matches.”
The Highway 17 Express fare is $7 one-way or $14 round trip. Riders can pay using the Transit app, exact cash on board, or Splash Pass. Riders are encouraged to have their fare ready before boarding.
Because World Cup service may differ from regular schedules, riders should plan their full trip in advance, allow extra time for crowds and transfers, and review service information from METRO and partner agencies before traveling. Public transit connections from San Jose Diridon may include VTA, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, and Caltrain, depending on the match date, time, and available service.
In addition to World Cup match travel, METRO will help residents and visitors reach local destinations throughout Santa Cruz County, including downtown Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and the Beach Boardwalk area. Beginning June 18, 2026, select late-night Route 1 trips will begin near the Boardwalk at Cliff & Beach before continuing to River Front Transit Center and starting the regular Route 1 trip 15 minutes later.
For schedules, service alerts, fare information, and trip-planning details, visit scmetro.org/fifa2026.
About Us
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO)
Established in 1968, METRO’S mission is to provide environmentally sustainable transportation to Santa Cruz County. METRO directly operates county-wide, fixed-route and Highway 17 commuter service, with connections to Santa Clara County and Monterey Salinas Transit at our Watsonville Transit Center. The agency also operates ParaCruz paratransit service. Today, METRO operates a fleet of 104 buses on 20 fixed routes and 32 paratransit vehicles.
Every ride on a METRO bus takes cars off the road, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports economic opportunity and quality of life in our community. Moving into the future, METRO strives to increase transit ridership to 7 million trips annually within the next five years, transition to a zero-emissions fleet with a mix of hydrogen and electric vehicles, and increase affordable housing at METRO-owned transit centers to 175 units in the next 10 years.
For more information, visit scmetro.org.