Skip to content
Transportation

SEPTA gets $5.5 million in federal funds to add extra service during World Cup

SEPTA says it will spend $21.5 million to expand transit service for this summer's events. It also is working on $30 million worth of infrastructure improvements to stations expected to host visitors.

As Philly gets its hype on for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $8.47 million to help SEPTA and other area transit agencies transport the crowd of fans expected. Here, international drummers and dancers perform during a rally Tuesday marking the 100-day countdown until games open here.
As Philly gets its hype on for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $8.47 million to help SEPTA and other area transit agencies transport the crowd of fans expected. Here, international drummers and dancers perform during a rally Tuesday marking the 100-day countdown until games open here.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

SEPTA expects to receive about $5.5 million from a federal appropriation to offset the cost of providing transit service in Philadelphia during the FIFA World Cup.

The regional transportation authority projects it will spend $21.5 million for additional transit runs and extended service hours during the World Cup as well as a the celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, officials said.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced about $100 million in funding to 11 cities and regions hosting FIFA championship matches, apportioned by formula.

“We are going to pull out all the stops to serve those big events — while also not missing a beat for our riders who rely on SEPTA every day,“ General Manager Scott Sauer said in a statement. He thanked the region’s congressional delegation and U.S. DOT for the ”much-needed investment to support this historic year.“

The Philadelphia region’s total grant was $8.47 million, with the remainder of the money going to government entities in New Jersey and Delaware.

SEPTA said it would spend $18 million for overtime for transit operators and Transit Police, cleaning expenses, longer customer service hours and ambassadors to help people navigate the system.

Other extra operating costs for the events:

  1. $1 million on safety and security, for portable surveillance equipment and a communications system to send police where they’re needed most.

  2. $825,000 for signage, including World Cup branded signage, website and app upgrades to help visitors get around, as well as translation services.

  3. Another $1.3 million will be spent on support services, SEPTA said.

Congress earmarked the money to help World Cup host cities and regions in this year’s federal budget, but improvements are required to benefit the general public, not just soccer fans.

“With the world coming to Philadelphia in 2026, we have a responsibility to be ready,” U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa) said.

The federal largesse will “strengthen our transit system so it can handle the surge in ridership during the World Cup,” Boyle said. “Just as importantly, these improvements will benefit Philadelphians long after the tournament.”

In addition to the extra spending on operations, SEPTA said it is investing about $30 million for infrastructure upgrades in advance of 2026 events, including improvements at Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line rail stations expected to be primary hubs for event goers.

The projects include:

  1. Roof replacement and platform resurfacing at NRG Station on the Broad Street Line, which serves Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Ballpark, where the Major League All-Star game will be held this summer.

  2. Upgrades to the Second Street Station headhouse on the Market-Frankford Line.

  3. Fern Rock Transportation Center lighting and painting.

  4. Realignment of the fare line at City Hall Station on the BSL, as well as platform resurfacing and new LED lighting.