Free shuttles, more buses, streetcars, water taxis and trains: SEA26 Match Day travel tips June 19

 

Tens of thousands of people are expected in downtown Seattle Friday, June 19, for FIFA Match Day and the evening Mariners game. Leaving the driving to us and riding transit to the matches and fan celebrations is your ticket for avoiding traffic and parking hassles.

Metro continues to operate a free Match Day shuttle between Seattle Stadium and Seattle Center, and seven days a week riders are enjoying the free Waterfront Shuttle between Seattle Center, the waterfront, Pioneer Square and the Chinatown International District.

Thanks in advance for your patience during high demand travel times before and after the games. We look forward to continue serving you and making your trip—if it’s for a match or a day in the sun—a great one!

Who’s Playing?

This is the United States (1-0) 11^th appearance in the tournament, qualifying as one of the nations hosting the event. Australia (1-0) is making its seventh appearance, coming in behind group winners Japan in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The match starts at noon.

Be prepared for warm temps during the match. Public Health Seattle-King County has tips on staying cool when it gets hot!

Keep your eye on the ball

Juneteenth is a federal holiday. Metro bus services will be operating on a regular weekday schedule

• Start your match day by planning your trip to the game. Use Metro’s online Trip Planner to plan the best route or call Metro Customer Service at 206-553-3000 for assistance. Representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special hours June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Press 1 for interpreter assistance.
• Sign up for Transit Alerts for your favorite routes to receive updates on game day.
• Once you’re at your bus stop, you can use Text for Departures (text your bus stop number to 62550) to see when your bus is expected.
• To see all your trip options in an app on your phone, try Transit or Citymapper. Trip results in these apps include Metro Flex on-demand options where available.

Best ways to get to the game

By Metro bus, shuttles, Metro Flex on-demand and Seattle Streetcar

• • More service: Metro is adding trips on high demand bus routes, operating Metro Flex across 10 areas, and special shuttles with subsidized free fares.
  • Free rides: The match day shuttle to the stadium operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with service every 3-7 minutes and fares subsidized by SeattleFWC26. The shuttle will travel along Third Avenue between Seattle Stadium and the Seattle Center. The shuttle will also have stops that are a short walk, roll or scoot from the other fan festivities locations at Pacific Place and Victory Hall.

 

• Free rides: The Waterfront Shuttle operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with service every 10 minutes with stops on Third Avenue, the International District as well as at Seattle Stadium. The waterfront shuttle is rerouted during match days—the map below will help you navigate the reroutes which will include temporary stops around the match day pedestrian zone.

 

• More service: The Seattle Streetcar is a great way to visit the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood or Seattle’s South Lake Union community. On match days, First Hill streetcar service will operate from Fifth Avenue and South Jackson Street due to street closures.
• Fares: free on shuttle buses, or $3 on regular service —free for riders 18 and younger.

By Link light rail

• Sound Transit will provide additional Link light rail service on its 1 and 2 lines. Stay up to date with match day information.
  • On match days, Sound Transit has preferred stations to arrive at and leave from Seattle Stadium. These recommendations relieve station crowding and will get you where you need to go.
• Good Maps is now available in 25 languages for station navigation in all 1 and 2 Line stations. Good Maps is a free smart phone app that provides turn-by-turn audio, visual, and mobility navigation to passengers who need assistance.
• Bikes and scooters will not be allowed on Link on match days. Use BikeLink services or bike/scooter-sharing services to get to the station. BikeLink lockers will be free on match days but require an app.
• Fares: $3—free for riders 18 and younger

On the water

• More service: The King County Water Taxi will sail its regular schedule to Vashon Island.  On match day, there will be extra service from West Seattle in addition to its late night service.
• Fares: Vashon $7 ($6 with ORCA Card)/West Seattle $6.25 ($5.25 with ORCA Card)—free for riders 18 and younger.

How to pay your fare

• Your ORCA card. Don’t have an ORCA Card? Go to myorca.com to learn how to purchase and load a card.
• Use Tap to Pay to pay with your credit and debit cards, and digital wallets.
• Use the ORCA 3-Day Puget Pass for unlimited rides on services with fares up to $3 per ride for adults.
• Metro buses still accept cash for fares. Cash also can be used to purchase tickets for Link light rail, the Seattle Streetcar and King County Water Taxi at ticket vending machines.

This is an exciting period in the Puget Sound and we want everyone to save their energy for the matches taking place in Seattle Stadium! For regular riders: we’re glad you’re keeping your vehicle at home. For those visiting us: we’re here to help make your trip to the region a memorable one.