05/23/2026
The world is coming to Seattle this summer, and whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or simply planning around one of the city’s biggest event seasons, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be a major moment for our region.
Seattle will host six matches from June 15 through July 6 at Lumen Field, which will temporarily be known as Seattle Stadium during the tournament. Expect the energy to stretch well beyond the stadium, with free Fan Celebrations, cultural events, watch parties, and plenty of visitors moving through downtown, S**o, Pioneer Square, Seattle Center, and the waterfront.
A few things to know:
▪️ Seattle hosts its first-ever World Cup match on June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt
▪️ Team USA plays Australia in Seattle on June 19
▪️ Additional matches include Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Egypt vs. Iran, plus Round of 32 and Round of 16 games
▪️ Free Fan Celebrations are planned at Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall in S**O
▪️ Tacoma will also host Puyallup Tribe events, including Coastal Protocol, a World Cup Powwow, and a stickgame tournament
▪️ This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, making it the largest tournament to date
▪️ Game days are expected to bring major traffic, transit, parking, and neighborhood impacts, especially around Pioneer Square, S**o, downtown, and light rail stations
For Seattle area residents, this is one of those rare civic moments where sports, culture, tourism, and local pride all meet in real time. It’s also a good reminder to plan ahead, use public transit where possible, check route and road closure updates, and give yourself extra time if you’ll be near downtown on match days.
From our soccer-loving neighborhoods to our waterfront gathering places, Seattle is getting ready to welcome the world. It’s going to be pretty incredible to watch.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/43njAfB