How L.A.’s Public Transit Plans for the World Cup and the Olympics

Getting to the Games

Though Los Angeles has long been an entertainment capital, it’ll become a hub for some of the world’s biggest and most unforgettable events in the next few years. Eight FIFA World Cup Games will be hosted in Los Angeles in 2026, as will the NBA All-Star Game, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, plus a long lineup of concerts and festivals.

Beneath the surface of crowd-lined streets and flashy stage illuminations, an immense amount of work is required to make these events run smoothly, especially when it comes to managing and transporting the crowds of attendees flocking to the city. LA Metro plays a key role in this effort, using data-driven planning, technology, and customer-focused initiatives to streamline transit for major events.

GO FOR GOLD: L.A. is optimizing and expanding Metro services and introducing tech solutions to handle the surge of Olympic spectators and athletes.

One of the Challenges Is Predicting Where People Attending Large Events Will Board

For high-profile concerts, LA Metro works directly with venues to analyze ticket sales and predict crowd flow. Much of this work is being performed today with an eye toward 2028 when Los Angeles expects more than 5 million people to attend the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Events like the Dodgers’ World Series Championship Parade and Taylor Swift’s six Los Angeles concerts in 2023 serve as real-world test runs, allowing Metro to fine-tune crowd management strategies for the events to come.

As the city prepares to host the world in the coming years, the Metro executive team is working cross-functionally to improve people’s transit experience, bringing their deep collective expertise in transit planning, construction and operations, customer service, and technology solutions to smooth customer journeys. Open payment systems, which will allow riders to tap credit cards for quick and hassle-free boarding, are part of Metro’s push to modernize the transit experience. Improved wayfinding tools, including tech-driven navigation aids, will make it easier for riders to move through stations and reach their destinations.

One of the challenges is trying to predict where people attending large events will board the system. For example, in preparation for the 2023 Taylor Swift concerts, Metro worked with the concert venue to gain insights into ticket sales, predict where riders were likely to come from, and allocate staffing and resources accordingly.

Cubic’s technology will also play a significant role in how the L.A. transit system navigates these challenges. The soon-to-be-launched open payment system, for example, will allow riders to tap their credit cards or digital wallets to board buses or trains, decreasing boarding wait times.

From Algorithms to Ambassadors: Ensuring a Smooth Ride

The Metro Operations team relies on historical data from similar events to anticipate ridership numbers and potential bottlenecks in the system. In addition to ensuring the final connections run long enough to accommodate late-night riders, it’s essential to have good communication with customers. Transit stations feature systems that keep riders informed about any delays or shifts in the network, and the staff is trained to assist with wayfinding, fare payment, and general customer service. Transit Ambassadors, in bright green uniforms for visibility, are stationed where crowds are expected to be heaviest. Their approachable presence helps riders feel safe and supported.

Technology and Innovation: Improving the L.A Transit Experience

Technology is one of the key factors in improving the customer experience during large events. Metro’s Transit Watch App, for instance, allows riders to report issues directly to the company. Whether it’s graffiti, broken lights, or safety concerns, the app’s geolocation feature helps pinpoint problems so they can be addressed quickly. It facilitates quick communication between riders and Metro staff, and Transit Ambassadors also use it to quickly spot and report problems they see on the system.

“We consider customer feedback a gift,” said Jennifer Vides, chief customer experience officer for LA Metro. “Those power users are amazing. They let us know, hypothetically, that every Tuesday at 3 o’clock, a specific station is a mess, so we can look at deploying more custodians there around that time and figure out why that might be happening. Or they might report light fixtures that are out. The Transit Watch App, which was developed in-house, helps us facilitate a more rapid response.”

Her firsthand experience as a rider gave Vides a unique perspective on how to make the system more user-friendly. “I became an evangelist for public transit,” she said, reflecting on her journey from carpool lanes to the commuter train. “Once I figured it out, it was a game changer.”

SWIFTIE SURGE: Handling large concert crowds, like Taylor Swift’s six sold-out shows, helped LA Metro perfect its transit strategies, focusing on crowd forecasting and customer service.

Moving L.A. Beyond Car Dependency

Changing the culture of car-centric Los Angeles is another challenge. While the city’s sprawling freeway system often discourages people from relying on public transportation, Vides leads programs that make transit more accessible and appealing. One such effort is the On the Move Riders Program, which helps seniors navigate the transit system through peer mentorship. The program makes seniors more comfortable using the system and empowers them to get around the city easily. Additionally, GoPasses are provided to students at participating K-14 schools, helping the next generation get accustomed to using public transit from an early age.

“It helps us get the idea of transit into kids’ heads before they get the keys to a car,” Vides said. “That’s important because we’re trying to change the car culture in Los Angeles.”

The goal is that, by introducing young people to public transit at an early age, it will become second nature to them as adults, reducing the city’s reliance on cars and contributing to a more sustainable, efficient transportation network.

Preparing for Big Events and Beyond

Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Metro is focused on ensuring L.A.’s transit system is ready for the influx of global visitors. Closely analyzing ridership data, combined with the partnerships Metro is building with venues, and putting great effort into supporting the region’s sporting and entertainment events are instrumental in ensuring Metro is prepared when the mega events come. “Los Angeles provides us ample opportunities to practice at a smaller scale what we’ll need to do during the mega events,” said Vides.

On top of expanding services and increasing fleet sizes to meet the rising demand, several upcoming changes will make it easier for people to navigate transit during major events. Metro is making more than two dozen major system improvements before the Games, including opening the new LAX/Metro Transit Center in spring 2025, which will connect light rail lines and several bus lines directly to the airport.

Expanding Accessibility for All

Metro is committed to making L.A.’s transit system more inclusive for people of all abilities. Metro is making improvements using Universal and Inclusive Design criteria to ensure that everyone can seamlessly use their system. The ultimate goal is to ensure the system is welcoming for everyone all the time. Whether it’s helping seniors navigate their first bus ride or accommodating passengers with disabilities, Metro’s vision is one of inclusivity, comfort, and ease.

It’s all part of getting to a bigger picture — helping L.A. become more connected, sustainable, and accessible, one event at a time.