Football season returns to Los Angeles with the Rams hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a pre-season game at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was just one year ago that the Rams made a triumphant return to L.A. by pummeling the Cowboys 28-24.

Metro is running extra Expo Line service for the game with a big crowd expected. Parking will be very limited with permit-only parking in the Exposition Park lots, and first-come first-served parking at USC campus lots. Attentive readers may recall the $200 parking that burped forth in 2016.

To avoid this madness and the inevitable surge pricing from your favorite ride sharing service here are a few tips on going Metro to game day at the Coliseum:

The Expo Line and Metro Rail

First, let’s tackle the Expo Line. The Coliseum is served by two Expo Line Stations — the Expo Park/USC Station and Expo/Vermont Station. Both are an easy five- to 10-minute walk to the stadium.

It costs $1.75 to ride the Expo Line one-way or $3.50 for roundtrip. The fare includes two hours of free transfers if you need to ride more than one rail or bus line.

You need a plastic reloadable TAP card to ride. They can be purchased for $1 at TAP vending machines that are located at all Metro Rail stations. Tip: load your TAP card with $3.50 in stored value so you don’t have to stand in line after the game to use the TAP vending machines again.

To help alleviate post-game crowding at stations and to minimize boarding delays, those heading back toward Santa Monica should board at Expo Park/USC Station. If you’re returning to DTLA, please board at Expo/Vermont Station. See the above map.

Another transit option: the Silver Line, which runs between El Monte Station and San Pedro, with a stop at Harbor Gateway Transit Center. The 37th St/USC Station is about a 10-minute walk to the Coliseum. Note: you need to already have a TAP card to ride the Silver Line and the fare is $2.50 per ride.

Fans using Metrolink and Amtrak: ride to Union Station, transfer to the Red/Purple Line subway and then at 7th/Metro transfer to the Expo Line. A transfer to Metro is free with a valid and stamped Metrolink ticket (details here).

How to Park and Ride

The following Expo Line stations have parking available on a first-come, first-served basis: 17th/SMC ($3 fee), Expo/Bundy ($3 fee), Expo/Sepulveda ($3 fee), La Cienega/Jefferson ($3 fee) and Expo/Crenshaw (free, SATURDAY ONLY).

To find parking elsewhere on the Metro Rail system, click here. We know from experience with USC football, some fans prefer to park in downtown Los Angeles — at Union Station ($8) or at one of the many commercial lots or garages. The Red/Purple Line can be used to connect with the Expo Line at 7th/Metro Station. From the subway, follow the signs to the Expo Line platform upstairs.

There is also street parking near many Expo Line and Metro Rail stations, but regulations vary and many street spaces come with restrictions. Check the signs to avoid a love letter from the city under your wiper blades!

Finally, a reminder that there is a clear bag policy at the Coliseum. Guests are encouraged not to bring any type of bags, but if you need to bring items inside with you, you’ll need to use a specific type of bag. See the graphic below and read up on the the Coliseum’s clear bag policy here.

And for more game day riding tips, check out metro.net/gameday.