Amtrak is breaking ridership records, but the question remains whether the national passenger rail carrier can handle the influx of millions of fans expected for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament, running from 11 June to 19 July, will bring up to 10 million visitors to the United States, placing enormous strain on the country's rail infrastructure.
Record Ridership and Infrastructure Constraints
Amtrak has achieved back-to-back ridership records, carrying 34.5 million passengers last year—a 5% increase from the previous year. However, the system remains creaky. Much of the network relies on freight-owned rail lines, limiting Amtrak's ability to modernise and expand. The Northeast Corridor, where Amtrak owns the track, is near maximum capacity, operating over 2,000 trains daily on some segments.
Northeast Corridor: The Heart of World Cup Rail Travel
Most of Amtrak's ridership comes from the Northeast Corridor, which saw 15 million riders in 2025. With 21 matches scheduled in Boston, New York/New Jersey, and Philadelphia, this 457-mile stretch will be a popular option. Fans from Washington DC, a non-host city, can reach Philadelphia in about two hours or New York in three hours by train. Amtrak has invested $30 million in track and infrastructure improvements, including the new Portal North Bridge in New Jersey.
Sebastian Caillat, a 22-year-old soccer consultant, experienced the vibrant atmosphere last summer during a Club World Cup match in Philadelphia. Fans chanted and waved flags on an Amtrak train, creating a festive environment. He anticipates similar scenes for the Brazil vs. Haiti match on 19 June in Philadelphia, given the large Haitian diaspora in the region.
Challenges Beyond the Northeast
Outside the Northeast, rail service lags. Dallas and Houston, hosting 15 matches combined, lost their direct Amtrak route in 1995; the journey now takes 23 hours. The Cascades route from Seattle to Vancouver offers two daily trains, but long-distance routes like Los Angeles to Seattle remain an 'acquired taste' at 34 hours. Amtrak's dynamic pricing has drawn criticism, but rail remains competitive with air travel. For instance, a same-day roundtrip from DC to New York for the final on 19 July costs $160, compared to $177 for a flight.
Funding and Equipment Shortfalls
Amtrak faces potential budget cuts under the Trump administration, with a proposed 82% reduction in passenger rail funding for 2027. John Robert Smith, former Amtrak board chair, noted that the agency lacks additional equipment to boost capacity for major events. New Siemens Airo trains, offering greater capacity, will not arrive in the Pacific Northwest until after the tournament. However, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested $66 billion in passenger rail, with some projects beginning to bear fruit.
Fan Experience and Comparisons Abroad
Danny Navarro, who runs TravelFutbolFan, advises supporters of teams in the northeast to use Amtrak. He notes that French fans, whose team plays in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, are likely to paint trains blue. Meanwhile, Brightline offers a faster option in Florida, connecting Orlando to Miami in under four hours, though tickets are pricey at around $260 roundtrip for the third-place game.
Adie Tomer of Brookings Metro emphasised that this World Cup is unique due to the country's size. 'People keep comparing it to the Olympics, but that's a one-city event,' he said. 'Travelers make rational decisions based on time and money, and US rail can't always compete with air and car travel.'
Despite challenges, Amtrak is preparing aggressively, treating the World Cup like Thanksgiving—its busiest period. The rail service encourages early booking, though trains rarely sell out. Whether Amtrak can deliver a reliable experience will test the state of US passenger rail on a global stage.
