Sound Transit set a new highwater mark for Link light rail ridership on Friday, June 19, as Seattle hosted a World Cup soccer match between United States and Australia. Collecting an estimated 280,000 boardings, Link smashed its previous record of 220,000 light rail rides set earlier this year during the Seahawks Superbowl victory parade. Micromobility usage in the city also soared to previously unseen heights on the same day.
“Friday was a momentous day for Sound Transit, with the highest ridership in our agency history,” Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine said in a statement. “We operated at peak service well into the evening on a day our region proudly hosted both a World Cup match and a highly attended Mariners game. As our region welcomed fans from around the world, we helped ensure they got to and from games safely. I’m grateful to all our employees and partners who made this record-setting day possible.”
Meanwhile, King County Metro is touting a combined 1.1 million boardings across the two FIFA match days so far, including record ridership on the county's two water taxi routes.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson also celebrated the energy in the air and on the rails in the city, and hinted at the case for further investment in transit. Wilson recently proposed doubling the size of the Seattle Transit Measure, which boosts King County Metro bus service in the city. With Seattle City Council approval, the measure will go to voters this fall.
“As a huge soccer fan, it has been so exciting to see fans from all over the world come to Seattle and experience our city,” said Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. “The energy across our region has been incredible, and you can feel it as people move through the city and gather for matches. Days like last Friday show just what is possible with great public transit.”
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, who chairs the Sound Transit Board of Directors, also pointed to transit investments paying off and the event highlighting "the strength of our transportation network."
"Friday's record ridership shows what is possible when we invest in fast, reliable transportation options that connect people and communities," Somers said.
Somers was the architect of a recent plan to preserve Sound Transit 3 light rail expansions plans amid huge budget shortfalls – albeit by putting a number of projects on the backburner for an indefinite amount of time – including light rail to Ballard.
Sound Transit is floating the possibility that the knockout round match on July 6 could push their ridership mark even higher.
"With multiple days during the World Cup tournament thus far exceeding 200,000 plus boardings and the potential of Team USA in a Seattle knockout round match on July 6, preparations for sustained high demand on light rail continue," the agency said. "Passengers are reminded to come early, stay late, and use the preferred stations: Pioneer Square for passengers from the north, Stadium from the south, and International District for passengers from the East and those with accessibility concerns."
Officials also thanked Sound Transit staff members for the extra work to handle the extra traffic.
“Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and King County has risen to the occasion, with Sound Transit demonstrating the vital role transit plays in our communities,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “It has been a joy seeing visitors experience everything our region has to offer. I’m grateful to our transit agencies and employees who have helped keep the region moving safely and reliably.”
The ridership boost of the busy summer season has not been limited to World Cup match days. In fact, Sound Transit set a new record of 236,000 light rail boardings on Thursday, just before breaking the record again the following day. That day saw a night market at Pike Place that drew thousands downtown well into the evening, keeping a normally sleepy Market up well past its bedtime.
Following the 2 Line extension across Lake Washington, Sound Transit leapfrogged U.S. peer agencies for the most ridden light rail system in the country, averaging about 160,o00 daily riders in the month of April. Several heavy rail metro systems have higher ridership, but what the Seattle region has been able to accomplish with light rail is remarkable.
Lime smashes Seattle record
Lime also smashed its previous scooter and bikeshare ridership record in Seattle, with more than 83,000 rides. That was about 40% more than the previous record, also set during the Superbowl victory parade.
Lime officials hoped to hit their previous ridership record during Seattle's World Cup match days, but Friday's ridership was nearly 40% higher. www.theurbanist.org/lime-readies...
— The Urbanist (@theurbanist.org) June 23, 2026 at 1:06 PM
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"Major events put real pressure on city streets, transit systems and people’s wallets, and Seattle’s first week of match play showed how micromobility can help," said Parker Dawson, Lime's Senior Regional Lead of Government Relations. "Riders used Lime to avoid congestion, connect to transit, get to fan events and reach the stadium district more easily, all without adding more cars to already busy streets. We worked closely with SDOT and local stakeholders to support safe, organized and reliable operations, including giving away free helmets to riders during one of Seattle’s busiest weeks of the summer. With more than 83,000 rides on Friday and more than 300,000 rides over the full week, Seattle showed the world how shared e-bikes and scooters can help a major host city move."
Lime's valet system and no parking zone seemed to do a good job of keeping bikes off a pedestrianized Occidental Avenue.
— The Urbanist (@theurbanist.org) June 19, 2026 at 2:57 PM
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Lime had ramped up operations to prepare for World Cup crowds, with valet parking areas near fan zones, and helmet giveaways to help riders move safely. Geo-fenced zones prevented Lime vehicles from being parking in pedestrian thoroughfares leading to the stadium, which was surrounded be a broad pedestrianized zone, with several parking garages closed and parking lots converted to fan zones.
Lime vehicles did pile up on some neighboring streets, such as Pioneer Square's Second Avenue and Elliott Way near the waterfront, but outside of that issue, Friday's massive day largely went off without a hitch.
The various ridership records were made possible by the noon soccer kickoff, afternoon celebrations after a 2-0 U.S. victory in the match, and a sold-out Mariners crowd at T-Mobile Park in the evening. But the high ridership could also portend of a new norm as Seattle grows into its expanded rapid transit system. And if the U.S. team heads into the finals with a game in Seattle, all bets are off when it comes to ridership records.
Doug Trumm
Doug Trumm
Doug Trumm
