Now that Super Bowl 59 is over, we’re looking forward to hosting Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium next year, and shortly after that, the FIFA World Cup of soccer. With thousands of fans expected to descend on Levi's via VTA light rail, we are preparing to ensure passengers and fans continue to be safe on our system. 

On January 29, VTA hosted an Agency-Wide Tabletop Exercise, bringing together key agency departments and multiple regional partners. The exercise focused on reviewing emergency management capabilities and strengthening coordination ahead of Super Bowl LX and the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

“As we approach major events in 2026, this sort of training in the National Incident Management System and the State Emergency Management System is critical for our executives and for our staff to learn the principles of Emergency Management,” says VTA Chief of System Safety and Security Aston Greene. “We can prevent things from happening, be proactive and be in a position to detect, deter and delay all of the types of hazards that we can experience as a transit agency.”

More than 70 participants attended, including representatives from Caltrain, SamTrans, Santa Clara Police, Santa Clara Fire, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay Area Host Committee, and the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Secret Service.

This collaborative approach ensures VTA, and its partners are aligned in their response plans for these high-profile events. 

“This is the first of many discussions and trainings in preparation for these critical events,” said VTA Emergency Preparedness Manager Kathleen Conley, emphasizing the importance of early planning.

These exercises are crucial for identifying potential challenges, reviewing past large event pros and cons, and ensuring seamless coordination among all agencies involved.