Amtrak is advising travel advisors and their clients to book early for summer 2026, predicting one of the busiest travel periods in the company’s 55-year history due to the convergence of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and America250 celebrations.
With more than 100 World Cup matches scheduled across North America and nationwide festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the rail operator is preparing for a surge in domestic and international visitors.
“Amtrak is excited to welcome soccer fans from North America and across the globe as they cheer on their home nation teams and travel between cities for matches,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. “With more than 300 daily trains, Amtrak is prepared to play a key role in delivering safe and reliable intercity travel this summer. We are fully committed to running a world-class railroad, serving as a trusted partner to peer agencies, and ensuring our infrastructure is ready to accommodate new and returning guests.”
Host City Connectivity
Amtrak currently provides daily service to nearly every World Cup host city, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, the New York/New Jersey area, Philadelphia, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto, and Vancouver. The rail operator noted that many of these destinations offer convenient transit or rideshare connections between stations and stadiums.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is an opportunity to showcase American ingenuity, including how our transportation infrastructure moves and builds our cities. This summer, rail will help thousands of fans from around the world reach stadiums across America. To see America is to love America,” added U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
Operational Preparations and Capacity
To manage the influx of travelers, Amtrak is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, and local host city working groups.
On the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak is implementing targeted infrastructure investments and planning to minimize maintenance outages during peak travel times. The operator stated that on major game days, additional maintenance staff and rescue locomotives will be positioned at key locations to mitigate potential service disruptions.
Capacity on the NEC — which connects Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston — will be bolstered by the continued rollout of the new NextGen Acela trains. These trains feature increased seating capacity and upgraded amenities for First Class and Business Class passengers.
Across the national network, Amtrak plans to deploy “Amtrak Ambassadors” — management staff trained to assist frontline employees — during heavy travel periods. Additionally, the Amtrak Police Department will increase patrols at key stations.
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