Pierce Transit is expanding routes and implementing new payment systems ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, positioning the agency to handle significant visitor overflow from Seattle while testing the region’s transit coordination capabilities.
County officials project that Pierce County and Tacoma will accommodate many of the estimated 750,000 World Cup visitors seeking lodging beyond Seattle’s capacity. Six matches at Lumen Field, including a U.S. Men’s National Team group stage game and two knockout rounds, will create concentrated demand that extends throughout the Puget Sound region.
Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus emphasized the critical role of public transportation, noting that without effective transit options, “freeways and roads jam and no parking” will leave visitors unable to reach their destinations. The agency plans to increase both the number of bus routes and their frequency to manage the anticipated surge.
County Executive Ryan Mello outlined strategy focusing on connections to the Link Light Rail expansion reaching Federal Way in December 2025. The timing allows Pierce Transit to leverage Sound Transit’s high-capacity rail service for moving large visitor volumes between counties.
“Because of the capacity that we’re going to have to serve, this is what we call a surge,” Mello explained. “It does make sense to run a lot of bus routes to light rail stations and then figure out how to run more light rail trains more frequently to deal with the number of people that we are serving.”
Pierce Transit is also exploring “Open Payment” systems that allow international visitors to use credit or debit cards directly on buses, eliminating language barriers and unfamiliarity with local payment methods. Officials hope to implement the system by early 2026.
The planned Tacoma Fan Zone, whose location will be announced before year’s end, will feature live match screenings, food festivals, local art showcases, and interactive soccer clinics. This creates additional transportation demand beyond traditional game attendance.
State funding allocation provides Pierce Transit with portions of a $9 million legislative appropriation distributed among transit agencies. King County Metro receives 40% of the total, while another 40% is spread among Puget Sound transit agencies, and 20% goes to agencies serving Fan Zone locations.
Pierce Transit faces a December 1 deadline to submit spending plans for its World Cup funding allocation. The agency must balance temporary capacity increases needed for the tournament with investments that provide lasting benefits beyond the event.
Mello expressed optimism about economic opportunities extending beyond match attendance, noting that visitors “are coming to explore everything we have to offer, the beautiful region we live in, and get to restaurants and parks and Mount Rainier.”
The World Cup preparations test regional transit coordination as multiple agencies must increase service levels without undermining each other’s operations. Success could demonstrate the Puget Sound region’s capacity for integrated planning around major events.
For Pierce County, effective World Cup hosting could establish templates for leveraging future major events to drive tourism and economic development, particularly given the region’s proximity to Mount Rainier and other attractions that could extend visitor stays beyond the tournament itself.
