A Data-Driven Approach to Mobility at Major Global Sporting Events

12/02/2025

Blog, Transportation

3 min

The United States is preparing for two massive global events—the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. These events are expected to draw millions of visitors, resulting in a significant surge in demand for transportation services.

This creates a unique opportunity for the U.S. to improve its public transportation infrastructure, integrating modern technologies like automatic passenger counting (APC) sensors to better manage the flow of passengers and create more efficient, data-driven systems for the future.

Planning for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will be the largest in history, with 60 of the 80 matches held in the U.S. The event is expected to attract around 5 million visitors, many of whom will travel to major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. The U.S. will face a major challenge in managing the influx of both domestic and international passengers, particularly in urban areas where public transportation networks are already under pressure.

One solution lies in the use of APC sensors, which are installed on buses, trains, and other public transport vehicles. These sensors provide real-time data on passenger counts, helping transportation agencies monitor ridership patterns and adjust service accordingly. With the World Cup approaching, U.S. cities can use this data to optimize routes, adjust schedules, and deploy additional vehicles where needed, ensuring smoother travel for both locals and visitors.

Smart Mobility for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Two years after the World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, drawing an estimated 15 million visitors. LA's vast size and notorious traffic congestion present a unique challenge, requiring the city to adapt its transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of this global event.

LA's existing public transport system, which includes Metro Rail and buses, will need to be expanded and optimized to handle Olympic crowds. By equipping these vehicles with APC sensors, the city can collect real-time data that will inform key operational decisions, such as adjusting capacity for high-demand routes, adding extra buses, and managing crowds at major hubs. APC sensors can also improve the customer experience by providing precise arrival times, helping passengers plan their journeys and reduce wait times.

Data-Driven Transportation Solutions

Both the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics will present challenges related to crowd management, timing, and operational efficiency. The integration of APC sensors will give city planners and transit authorities the data they need to tackle these issues effectively—by allowing operators to adjust service as needed to avoid overcrowding.

For the World Cup, APC sensors will help cities across the U.S. track passenger flows and adjust transit routes based on demand. If a large influx of visitors is expected in a particular area, transportation agencies can proactively deploy more buses or trains to alleviate congestion. This level of flexibility will ensure that transportation systems remain reliable and responsive throughout both events.

Building a Smarter, More Efficient System

The improvements made to public transportation for the World Cup and Olympics will not just benefit attendees during the events themselves—they will lay the foundation for a smarter, more efficient system in the long term. By integrating APC sensors, cities will gain valuable insights into ridership patterns, enabling them to make better decisions about infrastructure investments and future expansions.

As the U.S. continues to embrace data-driven transportation solutions, the lessons learned from these global events can shape the future of transit systems, making them more responsive and efficient. The combination of modern technology, data analytics, and event-driven demand will not only improve the transportation experience for millions of visitors but will also contribute to a more sustainable and effective public transportation network for years to come.

Xovis, a market leader in delivering APC hardware, is proud to be part of the public transportation transformation that is already underway in the US. Public and private transportation companies in the US have come to appreciate the relative ease of deploying an APC solution and the cost-cutting and operational optimization benefits of a sensor-based system.

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Fritz Lembke

Fritz Lembke, a Managing Director of Xovis Germany, has more than 13 years of experience working in the people counting business—eight of those as head of sales. Fritz is passionate about connecting public transportation operators and agencies with the automatic people counting technology and solutions they need to optimize planning and operations.