World Cup

A metro worker wraps an LA Metro bus in wrap celebrating the FIFA World Cup.

LA doesn’t need new transit for LA28: it needs to connect the transit it already has

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles showed that if the county’s transit providers work together, they can move thousands of people with ease. With two years remaining before the Games, the region should treat that success as inspiration, not a finish line.

October 26, 2026 - Juan Ramirez

Red and blue World Cup 2026 sign inside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

World Cup crowds offer 'stress test' for Kansas City transit planners

Transportation officials are closely monitoring travel patterns during the World Cup to understand how the city's transit system can be improved as the population grows.

June 25, 2026 - KCUR

Crowd at entrance to pedestrian tunnel in Los Angeles Union Station with sign for trains and large mural above tunnel entrance.

Weekend ridership on LA's D Line surged 80% after extension opened

World Cup attendees took roughly 45,000 rides to and from the first two games at the Los Angeles Stadium.

June 24, 2026 - Railway News

Crowd of soccer fans outside Atlanta stadium celebrating 2026 World Cup.

Will the World Cup fuel a crackdown on unhoused Atlantans?

As World Cup matches begin, advocates warn that Atlanta is on track to repeat the arrests, displacement, and criminalization of homeless residents that drew criticism during the city's 1996 Olympics.

June 19, 2026 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of lake in Macarthur Park in Los Angeles, California with downtown skyline visible in background.

World Cup renews community spirit in LA's MacArthur Park

Soccer watch parties are bringing life back to the park that was recently the target of immigration raids and police actions.

June 18, 2026 - The LA Local

Map of Houston's 'Green Corridor.'

Houston improved walkability ahead of the World Cup. Will it last?

Some mobility advocates say the city's 'Green Corridor' amounts to 'lipstick on a pig' rather than a true commitment to better transit and walking infrastructure.

June 18, 2026 - Houston Public Media

Soccer fans walk around World Cup countdown event in plaza in downtown Toronto, Canada.

Airbnb investing millions to loosen rules ahead of World Cup

US cities hosting World Cup games all have regulations on short-term rentals, but none have created new rules to limit speculation and displacement during the World Cup.

June 14, 2026 - Next City

Fans walking into MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

New Jersey FIFA transit will cost $6 million per match

World Cup host cities are bracing for an influx of visitors — and transit users.

June 12, 2026 - CBS News

Crowd of fans in front of Philadelphia's Lincoln Field stadium.

Philadelphia officials say city is ready for World Cup

The city touted its plans to ensure security and accessibility during FIFA World Cup events.

June 3, 2026 - BillyPenn

Crowd in front of AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Dallas area transit prepares for World Cup, asks locals to drive

DART is adding a special shuttle service and creating back-up mechanisms to ensure it can serve all of this summer's World Cup attendees.

May 25, 2026 - Governing

Neo-classical rounded South Station building with decorative clock on front and crowd walking in and out.

MBTA threatens to use eminent domain to pedestrianize Boston streets during World Cup

Boston city hall has been unusually reluctant to align with MassDOT and MBTA's proposed crowd management plans.

May 22, 2026 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Two large totem-style sculptures in Pioneer Square plana in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle's Pioneer Square to become pedestrian zone during World Cup

The city will restrict car traffic and street parking in areas around Lumen Field on match days.

April 28, 2026 - KIRO7

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

NJ Transit assures commuters they won't be paying World Cup prices

Penn Station will have to close for several hours on match days during the World Cup.

April 13, 2026 - NorthJersey.com

Levi's sports stadium in Santa Clara, California.

FTA Offers $100 Million in Transit Grants to World Cup Host Cities

Championship soccer games will be held in 11 U.S. cities this summer as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

March 4, 2026 - USA Today

Rendering of white and red air taxi flying over cityscape.

Arlington, Texas Kills Plan to Launch Flying Taxis Before World Cup

The city won’t be able to secure FAA permits in time to launch commercial air taxi services in 2026.

December 2, 2025 - Arlington Report

Soccer stadium in Berlin during 2006 World Cup full of fans waving German flags and a banner showing earth and radiant rays formed by bottom section of crowd.

Dear Cities: Let’s Make FIFA Count

The first-ever pan-North American World Cup offers urban planners a unique opportunity: to undo the legacy of failed promises and show that mega events can actually benefit the cities they visit.

August 18, 2025 - Antonio Gómez-Palacio

Multicolored modern aerial gondolas in Mexico City.

Mexico City Raises Mobility, Public Works Budget Ahead of World Cup

The Mexican capital plans to improve mobility to its major sports venues and invest in public works and infrastructure.

December 27, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Street Art Tells the Other Side of the World Cup Story

In the many cities hosting the month-long FIFA World Cup tournament, street artists share their criticisms in vibrant, powerful murals located in public spaces.

June 16, 2014 - The Guardian

How to Put More Kick in Urban Parks and Recreation Planning

Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau makes a case for increasing the number of fields and facilities dedicated to a sport that is growing in popularity – soccer.

June 3, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Empty Stadia and Some Regret in South Africa

One year after it hosted the World Cup, South Africa is looking at empty and expensive stadia and a persistent debt that's causing some to regret hosting the soccer tournament.

July 26, 2011 - The New York Times Magazine

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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