Planning your trip to the Foxborough World Cup? Parking and rides are your best bet

Local fans heading to the World Cup matches in Foxborough this summer might want to leave the bus stops and metro stations for visitors. The stadium’s operator is pushing cars as the top way for Massachusetts residents to reach Gillette Stadium—now dubbed Boston Stadium for the event. Jim Nolan, a top operations manager, even had a blunt warning for anyone without a ticket: “Don’t show up. ” His message came during a press talk where details were shared about transportation, security, and game-day rules. One key issue is parking. While FIFA will lock down around 5, 000 spaces at the stadium, plenty more spots will be set up along Route 1. Prices and booking options aren’t set yet, so drivers should be ready for surprises. Ticket checks will happen three times—at the parking lot, security, and gate—so forget the idea of sneaking in without one. For those without tickets, the organizer suggested heading to local fan zones or Boston’s FanFest instead.Nolan also confirmed that tailgating will be allowed, but only for those with passes. Fans should pack light, as the usual “clear-bag” rule applies, and smallest bags possible are encouraged. Gates open three hours early, with a Fan Experience zone ready to welcome people from the start. All payments inside the stadium will be cashless, though spots will be available to convert bills into credits. Getting around by bus from Boston hotels? Tickets cost $95, and unlike in New York—where officials slashed bus fares to just $20 thanks to extra funding—organizers do not expect similar help here. Nolan stressed that no new public or private cash is likely to drop those prices anytime soon. Meanwhile, fans flying in from Europe might joke about biking or walking to the stadium, but local police aren’t worried. The chief joked that after checking GPS, even the most determined cyclists would realize five miles is too much. Organizers are working with Uber to set up a rideshare zone at parking lot 16. Even with so much planning, not all games are sold out yet. The organizer called it “complicated” to say an event is fully booked, but said things are filling up nicely. Security details also came up, with police confirming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement won’t be involved in checking fans.