With the talk about Super Bowl LX coming to the Bay Area on February 8, 2026, let's remind my followers about transit options on game day when it comes to the action in Santa Clara. Just be aware, though: I'm not talking about any of the related Super Bowl LX events taking place before the actual day - I'm only talking about the day of Super Bowl LX.
DISCLAIMER FOR TRANSFERRING PASSENGERS
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit), San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and Caltrain does NOT make regular fare or transfer announcements for those connecting to VTA Light Rail. All passengers transferring from AC Transit, BART, or Caltrain will need to be reminded that VTA Light Rail is a Proof-of-Fare system and payment is REQUIRED before boarding VTA Light Rail. All BART and Caltrain passengers MUST "tag-off" their card at the departing station before they "tag-on" their card PRIOR to boarding VTA Light Rail - no "tag-off" required for VTA Light Rail. PASSENGERS WITHOUT PROOF-OF-PAYMENT MAY BE SUBJECTED TO A FINE OF UP TO $250. Fare inspectors may be present at any time, thus please be advised of this notice.
THE FARE OPTIONS
Clipper card, which is the San Francisco Bay Area's transit card that is accepted at many agencies across the nine counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay, is generally the best way to get around the Bay Area; this is especially helpful for seniors (Senior Clipper Card) and disabled (via the Clipper Access card) for those going to Levi's Stadium on VTA buses and light rail. All Adult Clipper cards are available to pay via smartphone - the Clipper Card website shows users how. Those receiving Senior or Access cards will initially be a physical card and can be converted to digital via their smartphone - but must keep them for fare inspection purposes.
The Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which manages the Clipper card and the 511 SF Bay website, recently introduced a new feature that allows patrons to pay using their credit/debit card (also called "bank card"); however, this is not recommended as Clipper card generally have slightly lower fares than cash fares.
VTA also offers the option to use cash to pay for transit rides, but paying cash is only available on buses and is also not advised. Light rail ticket vending machines (for light rail use) has an 8-hour excursion pass available, but this option is also not advised.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) riders will require the use of the Clipper card in order to get from the East Bay to Levi's Stadium, including transferring to VTA Light Rail at Milpitas station via the pedestrian bridge. While parking at BART stations (except Milpitas and Berryessa) are free, information for BART is found on their website for the BART portion to Milpitas and fares may vary depending on your location.
Caltrain riders will need to be aware that both the Caltrain/VTA joint day passes are significantly higher for Super Bowl LX than on a typical day. It's best for riders to stick with their Clipper card.
Token Transit will also be accepted, but only on game day.
Both Altamont Commuter Express and Capitol Corridor will be available for those coming from San Joaquin and Sacramento counties.
VTA IS THE FRONT DOOR TO THE BIG GAME
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) may be in the midst of a major project on the light rail system extending to Eastridge Center on the Orange Line, but the Orange Line will be the front door to Levi's Stadium, only to be cut off between Great America and Lick Mill for security reasons related to Super Bowl LX. Mountain View light rail patrons (including Caltrain transfers; more on that shortly) will be using Great America station for the exit. Those that are coming off from Alum Rock (including Milpitas transfers; more on that shortly), Santa Teresa, or Winchester stations will be using Lick Mill station for the exit and entering Levi's Stadium via Gate F.
There's a couple of caveats, though:
BLUE LINE: Those who ride the Blue Line train from Santa Teresa will need to transfer at Convention Center, Paseo de San Antonio, Santa Clara (Street), or St. James stations and utilize the Green Line trains from Winchester station. Please note that 2-car trains will be in force for the Green Line as stations south of San Jose Dirdon are not designed for 3-car trains.
SOUTH OF DIRDON: Those coming from points south of San Jose Dirdon may also want to consider riding Caltrain for part of the journey to Santa Clara (for bus line 59), Sunnyvale (for bus line 57), or Mountain View (for Orange Line to Great America) to ensure room for those transferring from the Blue Line. Be aware that different fares apply on Caltrain.
BUS LINES SERVING LEVI'S STADIUM: Three bus lines also serve the vicinity of Levi's Stadium, specifically lines 55, 57, and 59 (the latter also helpful for those living in the Alviso neighborhood of San Jose). However, those bus lines are subject to detours; the drop-off and pick-up locations may be different than usual due to extremely high security.
BERRYESSA AND MILPITAS BART STATION PARKING: Those that are parking at Milpitas or Berryessa BART stations must pay $3 at the parking machines before taking transit.
COMING FROM THE EAST BAY, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN MATEO COUNTIES
Those coming from the East Bay, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties will find that their Clipper card (if they have it) will be very helpful as the process is straightforward. BART and Caltrain utilizes a "dual-tag" system, while VTA only requires one tag from the card.
East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) residents will need to utilize the free BART parking spots and have their Clipper (or bank) card ready before taking BART to Milpitas station and using the pedestrian bridge to take VTA Light Rail Orange Line to Lick Mill station.
San Francisco and San Mateo county residents will need to take Caltrain down to Mountain View and transfer to VTA Light Rail's Orange Line for Levi's Stadium. If passengers are taking BART from San Francisco, Daly City, Colma, or South San Francisco, they will need to head towards Millbrae and go to Platform 5 for Caltrain towards San Jose.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NORTH BAY RESIDENTS
For those living in Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties, this process may be a bit complicated but somewhat straightforward depending on the transit that you may be using and where you reside. It's best that you do drive to a BART station in Contra Costa County and then utilize the same process as East Bay residents; those who don't want to go to the East Bay may also drive to the BART station in Daly City (via a toll on highway 101) to utilize BART, Caltrain, and VTA Light Rail. However, if you do decide to take transit, this depends on the county that you live in, and most agencies offer service connections to various BART stations.
MARIN AND SONOMA COUNTIES: Those residents can either take a SMART Train or take bus line 101 for connections. Those opting for BART can connect at the San Rafael station for bus line 580 to connect with the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station for the ride to connect with VTA Light Rail at Milpitas station. Both bus line 101 (to Salesforce in SF) and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal (SMART Train connection only) have BART connections to Caltrain, and thus VTA Light Rail at Mountain View station. Please note that residents north of Santa Rosa must take Sonoma County Transit to Downtown Santa Rosa Transit Center for connections to Golden Gate Transit Line 101. Santa Rosa CityBus riders can also connect there as well.
NAPA COUNTY RESIDENTS: Napa VINE transit only offers Route 11 to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, and thus users must take the ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building, walk a short distance to the Embarcadero BART station, and take BART to Millbrae, transfer to Caltrain, and finally VTA Light Rail's Orange Line. Return trips, though, will be complicated after the Super Bowl LX concludes, thus it's best to drive to a BART station (El Cerrito Del Norte or Richmond stations).
SOLANO COUNTY RESIDENTS: For Solano County residents, particularly those in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City, those will have the most difficulty finding transit for Super Bowl LX. Most SolTrans buses will only go as far as Vallejo, and those are via connections to multiple BART stations. It's best that those residents drive to a BART station at Richmond or El Cerrito Del Norte.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY RESIDENTS
Those living in San Francisco should take note that MUNI (shorthand for SFMTA, or San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency) ticket vending machines currently do not offer VTA bus passes when loading their physical Clipper card. While they do acknowledge Super Bowl LX, they do have a link to VTA website.
VISITING THE BAY AREA FOR SUPER BOWL LX AT LEVI'S STADIUM
For those flying in for game day, San Jose Mineta International Airport is certainly the closest airport to Super Bowl LX, but San Francisco and Oakland airports will also be accessible as well. All visitors to the Bay Area are advised to input their Clipper Card on their phone, or obtain one at any ticket vending machine or information desk (when available). Foreign visitors are advised to convert their currency to U.S. Dollars before obtaining a physical Clipper card.
SAN JOSE: Those coming from Terminal A or B will need to take VTA bus line 60 headed north towards Milpitas BART, off-board at Metro/Airport station, then take VTA Green Line light rail to Lick Mill station. Note that the fare is free only at airport terminals.
SAN FRANCISCO: Those arriving from the Domestic Terminals will need to take an AirTrain or shuttle bus to Garage G/BART to access the BART station. If arriving from the International Terminal, go towards Garage G on the north end of the lobby before the walkway to Garage G, then take an elevator (the ones closest to the restroom and Courtyard G) to Level 3 and access the BART station. Whether from Domestic or International Terminals, take BART to Millbrae, transfer to Caltrain at Platform 5 towards San Jose, then transfer again at Mountain View for VTA Orange Line light rail to Great America station.
OAKLAND: Those coming from the airport in Oakland should start by taking the Oakland Airport BART connector to the Coliseum station, transfer to a Berryessa train, and off-board at Milpitas station. Upon exit, follow the signs for the pedestrian bridge to VTA Light Rail, where you'll take the Orange Line to Lick Mill Station.
STATEMENT(S)
I hope that my own guide will help guide riders to enjoy Super Bowl LX in person. Have any questions? You may comment below or email me. See you on the socials.
Kyle Chak
chak595301@gmail.com
@KyleSChak
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