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Committee approves bill letting LA Metro and VTA collect $5 event transit fee for World Cup and select NCAA games
Summary
AB 1237 would allow LA Metro and Santa Clara VTA to collect a $5 fee on primary official game tickets for 2026 FIFA World Cup matches (and VTA for 2026 NCAA championships) and accept the event admission ticket as same‑day transit fare; supporters said the fee will fund expanded transit service for the surge of visitors.
SACRAMENTO — The Assembly Arts Committee on April 22 approved AB 1237, which would permit the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to add a $5 fee to primary, official game ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and (for VTA) the 2026 NCAA basketball championships. The bill would allow ticket holders to use their event admission as a same‑day transit pass on Metro and VTA systems.
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie‑Nicola (presenting as McKinner for the author) said integrating transit with event tickets will ease navigation for travelers and reduce congestion. Chris McCailey for LA Metro estimated about $25 million in added costs for hosting the World Cup games at SoFi Stadium and supported the fee as a dedicated source to cover surge operations.
Delaney Hunter for VTA said Santa Clara is also preparing for large events, including the Super Bowl, and that the fee is an “innovative way to encourage and actually push folks onto transit.” Labor groups and active‑transportation advocates also testified in favor.
Committee members raised questions about contract language with host committees and whether adding fees could conflict with existing agreements under FIFA or local host contracts. The author said she is coordinating with both host committees and expects to resolve contract issues.
The committee advanced the measure to the next committee; the roll call showed it passed with a majority and staff said they would hold the roll open for absent members while parties finalize contract details.
