What it's like taking Houston Metro to the World Cup

What it's like taking Houston Metro to the World Cup

Taking the Metropolitan Transit Authority's Red Line to Houston Stadium for the Germany-Curaçao World Cup game Sunday made me feel like I had won the match.

Why it matters: Depending on your comfort level for being packed like a sardine, the $1.25 ride each way is the sensible and obvious choice both for in- and out-of-town soccer fans and absolutely beats paying $100+ for parking.

  • Trains to and from Houston Stadium are scheduled to run as frequently as every six minutes during the tournament.

    • By the numbers: Metro police estimated 20,000 fans used the Red Line to leave Sunday's match between Germany and Curaçao, per the Houston Chronicle. More than 68,000 people attended the match.

    My experience: Around 9:40am, I squeezed into an already-packed southbound train at the Museum District stop on my way to the stadium.

  • There wasn't room for fans waiting at subsequent stops.
  • Despite the circumstances, fans onboard were in good spirits.

    • Fans pack a southbound train heading to Houston Stadium on Sunday. Selfie: Jay R. Jordan/Axios

    Leaving the match was a whole other ball game.

  • Because of the number of fans waiting for a return train, we were forced to wait under the hot sun before reaching the tent near the station.
  • Officials offered free water to passengers entering the queue, but some still experienced heat illness. At least one person collapsed while waiting in line under the tent.
  • I waited about an hour to finally board a train.

    • Fans wait under the sun to enter a queue for the train to leave Houston Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios

    Fans snake through a zig-zag queue to leave Houston Stadium by train Sunday. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios

    Yes, but: Once aboard the train, the ride ran like clockwork.

    Pro tip: Be prepared for long lines and close quarters. If officials offer you free water, take it.

  • Because the trains are so packed and it's hard to move around, be sure to pay attention to which side the doors open at any given station — especially on your ride home.