The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) will expand service across its system during the FIFA World Cup 2026™  to ensure both visitors and everyday riders can move safely, reliably, and efficiently across the region. The company's approach is not to build a system just for the event, but to strengthen the one Houston relies on every day and scale it to meet global demand without compromising service for our regular riders.

The plan builds on METRO’s existing network, increasing capacity and extending service while maintaining reliable operations for everyday riders. Service enhancements will run June 7 through July 11, aligned with match schedules and major events.

METRORail will operate extended hours until midnight:

•    Service on the Red Line will run every six minutes during peak periods and every 12 minutes late at night
•    Service on the Green and Purple lines will run every 12 minutes with extended hours

Local bus and Park & Ride service will also be expanded:

•    Bus service will operate with extended hours and increased frequency on key corridors and activity centers
•    Park & Ride routes will operate seven days a week with extended hours and increased frequency
•    Off-peak Park & Ride service will run every 30 minutes until midnight

For visitors arriving by air, METRO’s 500 Downtown Direct provides service between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and downtown Houston, operating every 30 minutes with a one-way fare of $4.50.

To support higher demand, additional vehicles will be staged at high-traffic locations across the system. Police presence will also increase in coordination with regional partners, supported by a unified command structure that enables real-time communication and rapid response. METRO Ambassadors will be stationed at key locations to provide on-the-ground assistance to riders. 

Throughout the World Cup, fares will remain unchanged, ensuring that transit remains an affordable option for residents and visitors traveling across the region. The agency has spent months coordinating with the City of Houston, regional partners, law enforcement, and event organizers to align transportation, traffic management, and communications before and during the tournament. Every improvement made for the tournament is designed to last, creating a safer, more reliable, and more accessible transit network for years to come.


For more information on METRO’s World Cup service plan, visit RideMETRO.org/FWC26.