LA Metro Seeks Charter Bus Operators for 2026 FIFA World Cup Service

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has issued a Notice of Request for Charter Bus Operators to support transportation for spectators and workers attending the eight scheduled matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The matches, running from June 12 through July 10, 2026, will bring tens of thousands of fans to the Los Angeles area, marking one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the region.

Transportation Overview

To ensure efficient and reliable service during the tournament, LA Metro plans to coordinate shuttle operations from key regional locations to SoFi Stadium. The agency is seeking approximately 130 charter buses to provide park-and-ride and shuttle services for each of the eight game days, including the USA opening match on June 12 and the quarterfinal on July 10.

Service will operate from three primary hubs:

El Camino College (Torrance) – 40 buses for inbound trips and 61 for outbound trips, transporting roughly 4,500 passengers per game.
LAX Area Hotels and Parking Zones – 39 inbound and 60 outbound buses, moving about 7,200 passengers per game.
Pierce College (Woodland Hills) – 9 buses for both ingress and egress, serving approximately 400 passengers per game.

Buses will transport spectators starting three hours before each match, with return service available for up to 90 minutes after the game concludes. Each operational day will run an estimated 6.5 hours per bus.

Routing	# of 40-foot buses	Duration of Service	Passengers
El Camino College (3400 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Torrance, CA) to/from SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)	40 buses ingress; 61 buses egress	8 days x 6.5 hrs/bus	4,510 per game
LAX area hotels and parking in the area around Century Bl (between Sepulveda Bl and Aviation Bl) to/from SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)	39 buses ingress; 60 buses egress	8 days x 6.5 hrs/bus	7,216 per game
Pierce College (6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA) to/from SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)	9 buses both ingress and egress	8 days x 6.5 hrs/bus	400 per game

The above bus quantities are subject to change (either up or down) based on reservations for parking for these locations. Metro will market these services and collect parking and transportation fees. On the bus, fare collection will not be required.

Requested dates of service

Friday 6/12/26 – USA opening match
Monday 6/15/26 – Group Stage
Thursday 6/18/26 – Group Stage
Sunday 6/21/26 – Group Stage
Thursday 6/25/26 – USA Group Stage
Sunday 6/28/26 – Round of 32
Thursday 7/02/26 – Round of 32
Friday 7/10/26 – Quarterfinal

Operator Requirements and Deadlines

LA Metro is requesting expressions of interest from qualified charter bus operators capable of supplying vehicles, licensed drivers, fuel, maintenance, supervision, and storage for the event period. Operators may apply for one, two, or all three route assignments.

Interested companies must submit a letter of interest by Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to:

Conan Cheung
Chief Operations Officer
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 213-418-3034

After the submission deadline, LA Metro will issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to those who have expressed interest, allowing charter companies to compete for final service contracts.

A Major Opportunity for the Industry

The 2026 World Cup will be a landmark moment for global sports and for the North American motorcoach industry. With tens of thousands of spectators expected daily, the event underscores the essential role of bus operators in connecting communities, supporting large-scale logistics, and keeping major events moving smoothly. For charter companies in Southern California and beyond, this call represents not only a significant business opportunity but also a chance to showcase the industry’s reliability and expertise on a world stage.