Santa Clara, California, is gearing up for a major soccer match taking place at Levi’s® Stadium on Saturday, July 22. The clash between FC Barcelona and Juventus is set to attract an estimated 68,500 attendees, triggering significant traffic around the area and impacting local residents and businesses. With heavy traffic and delays expected on all the main roads leading to and from the stadium, those planning to attend the match or simply traverse the Santa Clara vicinity should take note of the relevant traffic advisories issued by the City of Santa Clara here.
Traffic congestion is expected to commence from around 4 p.m., so attendees and other commuters should plan their journeys accordingly. The event is set to conclude around 9:30 p.m., with traffic disruptions persisting throughout the evening. Major thoroughfares such as Highways 101, 237, 880, Lawrence Expressway, San Tomas Expressway, and Great America Parkway are expected to experience significant delays, according to the Santa Clara Police Department.
Tasman Drive will be closed from Convention Center Circle to Centennial / Marie P DeBartolo Way, starting from 1:30 a.m. on July 22. The closure will last until the conclusion of the event, and the eastbound Tasman Drive offramp to Stars and Stripes Drive will also be closed, except for train station, Youth Soccer park, and Gold Lot 1-5 users. No parking will be allowed on Tasman Drive or the clearly marked sections of Lick Mill Boulevard throughout the day.
To avoid difficulties and keep road use at a minimum, stadium-goers are encouraged to utilize public transportation options such as the Valley Transportation Authority, ACE/Capitol Corridor heavy rail, or CalTrain. Those driving personal vehicles are advised to input their addresses on their preferred navigation apps for step-by-step directions to the designated parking lots, as other map programs and apps may not account for road closures, according to the advisory. The parking lots at Levi’s® Stadium will open at 4 p.m., with pre-paid parking passes available for purchase on the stadium's website. Additionally, the stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for all attendees.
The City of Santa Clara Traffic Engineering Department is doing its part to assist with managing the expected congestion by making traffic cameras available for public viewing. This will help residents and visitors make more informed decisions about their travel plans based on live road conditions.
On the event day, the Santa Clara Police Department plans to station personnel at various intersections, such as Lafayette Street and Calle de Primavera, Lafayette Street and Hogan Drive, Agnew Road and Lakeshore Drive, Agnew Road and Cheeney Street, and Wilcox Avenue and Gianera Street (for egress only). These measures aim to increase public safety in residential neighborhoods and alleviate traffic issues.
Throughout the day, event-related parking will be discouraged on streets such as Fairway Glen Drive, Eisenhower Drive, Bassett Street, Davis Street, Fillmore Street, and Lake Santa Clara Drive. The local police recommend that residents allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes to avoid potential congestion and delays. Importantly, everyone is encouraged to read the message boards, obey the posted signage, and follow all instructions provided by law enforcement personnel and private security.
Moreover, the California's Great America Theme Park, located near Levi’s® Stadium, will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 22, with a fireworks show scheduled for 9:45 p.m. As a result, added vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic should be anticipated in the surrounding area.
