The FIFA World Cup is happening in the Bay Area this month, and if you scored tickets to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara—now rebranded as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium for the tournament—you’re probably wondering how to actually get there without losing your mind or your shirt to parking costs.
The good news? You’ve got real options. The stadium is hosting five group stage matches and one Round of 32 matchup, with games running from June 13 through July 1. Whether you’re catching Qatar vs. Switzerland on June 13, Austria vs. Jordan on June 16, Turkey vs. Paraguay on June 19, Jordan vs. Algeria on June 22, Paraguay vs. Australia on June 25, or the Round of 32 on July 1, getting there doesn’t have to be a headache.
Public transit is your friend here. If you’re coming from Sacramento, the Capitol Corridor train gets you to Santa Clara/Great America Station in about three hours, and from there it’s a 10-minute walk to the stadium. Book early though—event trains sell out, and Capitol Corridor offers advance purchase discounts at capitolcorridor.org. Coming from Oakland? Same train, about 1.5 hours. ACE Train from Stockton takes roughly two hours with special event service direct to Great America. BART users heading from Milpitas can take the train to Milpitas Station, transfer to the VTA Orange Line light rail, and ride to Lick Mill Station—the whole thing takes about 20 minutes, and VTA ambassadors will be on hand to help with the transfer. Even Caltrain from Mountain View works, with about 30 minutes total travel time via the VTA Orange Line to Great America Station. VTA runs extra service after each match, so you won’t be stranded.
If you’re driving, reserve your parking pass in advance—lots open four hours before kickoff and many are a 15-20 minute walk from the stadium. Prefer rideshare? Uber, Lyft, and similar services (but not Waymo) can drop you at Red Lot 7 on the north side or Freedom Circle to the south, both about a mile away. Just know you can’t re-enter the stadium once you leave, so plan your bathroom breaks accordingly.
A few things to remember: bags must fit in a 12-by-6-by-12-inch clear bag policy, though small clutches are fine. You can bring a single factory-sealed, 20-ounce plastic water bottle. Small flags and banners under 78 by 60 inches are allowed. Leave the vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns, laser pointers, drones, and weapons at home—they’re all banned. Smoking and vaping are prohibited. There’s free Wi-Fi (FWC26_FANS), and if your phone is dying, rent a charging station for $5 an hour. Official merchandise is scattered throughout the stadium on the plaza level and in various lounges and sections.
Show up early, load your Clipper card before you arrive if you’re taking transit, and remember that once you’re in, you’re in for the whole match. The Bay Area’s hosting the world—make sure you’re ready to show up on time.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
