Massachusetts is on the cusp of hosting the World Cup matches in Foxboro next month, and on Monday, state officials emphasized to the public to plan ahead for FIFA World Cup matches.
“We want to make sure that it is the best experience for everybody that needs to use our roadways and public transportation to get to the game, but others that are just not interested in the game that are traveling around the state,” said Jonathan Gulliver, the state highway administrator and transportation undersecretary.
Gulliver said transportation plans for the World Cup games has been coordinated by various agencies, including Massport, MBTA, MassDOT and Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Transportation will be the biggest issue surrounding spectators attending the games, he said. Gulliver encouraged advanced planning and the use of public transportation, underscoring that trains or buses from Boston’s South Station and the various hotels chartering buses is the easiest and best way to Foxboro.
“For those of you going to the games, first and foremost, the most frictionless experience you’re going to have getting to a game is to take one of the public transportation options,” he said.
The biggest concern is traffic surrounding Gillette Stadium, which is branded as Boston Stadium for the duration of the games.
Seven matches are scheduled at Gillette Stadium between June 13 and July 9, consisting of five group-stage matches, one round-of-32 match and a quarterfinal.
Most of the matches occur on weekdays (Tuesdays and Fridays) in June, and that could worsen regular commuter traffic. The first Tuesday match is June 16 at 6 p.m.
Parking is limited, and pre-purchasing parking spaces is recommended. Extra congestion is expected two hours before, and several hours after, all games. Drivers should plan to leave early to avoid delays in getting to the stadium. Main roadways will have stadium signs to follow.
Gulliver said non-attendees are advised to avoid the area and to go to other events around the state for a better experience.
“There are a lot of opportunities that are going to be there for fan events taking place across the state,” he said. “Look at participating in one of those events, rather than trying to just show up to the stadium without a ticket.”
Ryan Coholan, chief operating officer of the MBTA, said the friendly match at Gillette on March 26 between France and Brazil was an opportunity to test how the agencies would handle the flows of passengers and all of it went well.
“Those plans are being translated into the full match schedule, with the idea following every match, every transportation mission of moving people to and from, we’re going to sit down with all our partners, talk about what went great and what we can improve upon and incorporate that into every match,” he said.
