Your guide to the 2026 World Cup in Seattle

The World Cup is coming to Seattle. You’re going to hear about it a lot over the next couple months, so buckle in.

The tournament will be hosted by 16 cities across three countries in North America — including Seattle.

This is among the biggest sporting event Seattle has hosted; an estimated 750,000 people are expected to visit over the six-week tournament. But in many ways it is a regional event.

The World Cup has pushed Washington’s municipal bodies to new creative heights; the Seattle Chamber of Commerce created a graphic novel. There’s a lot of seafood hype. There are local pro-soccer stars lauding the region. There is also an official song by a Seattle-based DJ.

To help you figure out what to do during this summer's tournament, we have compiled this guide to the World Cup, from the big soccer events in Seattle to festivities around the region.

And stay tuned! We will be adding to this guide in the coming weeks.

Pacific Northwest schedule

The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup runs from June 11 to July 6. Seattle is scheduled to host six matches and Vancouver, B.C., will host seven.

Team home bases

Renton will be home base for the Belgian soccer team during the World Cup games. The Royal Belgian Football Association will train at the Seattle Sounder's facility there during the tournament.

Belgium plays in Seattle's 1st match of the World Cup on June 15 against Egypt. That country will be based in Spokane for the tournament. Both teams also have games in Vancouver, B.C.

The Jordan team will be based in Portland.

Transportation and traffic

In Seattle

The Seattle Department of Transportation will watch the transportation system and make real-time changes, such as adjusting traffic signals. People can find more information on X @SDOTtraffic, and they can view SDOT’s travelers’ map on seattle.gov/Travelers.

Walkable areas

The Pioneer Square neighborhood near the stadium will become a walkable fan zone during the six match days. The city has more information about changes during those days.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit plans to run additional service this summer, with the Link light rail running more frequently on game days, as well as special Sounder game trains.

People going to the games at the renamed Seattle Stadium during the tournament can find more information at Sound Transit’s website.

ORCA now has a tap-to-pay option, which allows riders to use any contactless debit or credit card to pay their fare. The agency also has a new overnight ST Express bus service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to downtown Seattle.

Freddy Monares

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KNKX

Construction pause

SDOT will pause construction in some areas from June 8 to July 6. This means fewer work zones on streets and sidewalks and more space for transit and people.

Notably, the Revive I-5 construction will pause and all lanes will be open on the Ship Canal Bridge, according to a Washington State Ferries service plan. The work will then resume through the end of 2026. Find real-time travel information from WSDOT.

More ferries

There will be more boats on standby, additional staffing, faster response to service issues during the World Cup, according to a service plan from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The department will prioritize its busiest routes in central Puget Sound, including the routes from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, and the route from Edmonds to Kingston.

How to enjoy a slice of the World Cup

FIFA sells tickets to the games in phases. The final ticket sales phase started April 1, with many tickets priced higher than in earlier sales windows. But there are still plenty of ways to participate.

Fan celebrations hosted by the Seattle World Cup Committee
Starts June 11
Pacific Place, Waterfront Park, Seattle Center and Victory Hall.
Free

Kickin’ It Federal Way
June 19-21
Live watch parties in theater, outdoor stage with live music, games + activities for families, soccer tournaments, food vendors
Free

There will be official watch parties at the Seattle Fan Celebrations along the “Unity Loop,” which includes Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall in SODO.

There other watch parties will be held across the region, including in the fan zones. Read on for more!

What to do in and around the fan zones

There are five official fan zones plus the Renton base camp in our region. From hiking to art to whale watching, these places offer lots to do beyond soccer.

Bellingham

Outdoor recreation remains Bellingham’s greatest draw. Local favorites include:

• Hiking in Whatcom Falls Park includes 3.5 miles of trail through meadows and forests, with some overlooking the creek gorge and ponds.
• Walks from the Taylor Dock Boardwalk to Boulevard Park.
• Some whale watching tours start at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and end at the historic Fairhaven Village, which is near the scenic Chuckanut Drive byway and a community boating center.
• Whatcom Art Market, a co-op gallery featuring artists from Whatcom, Skagit, and the San Juan Islands.

Sitting on the I-5 corridor between two host cities, Bellingham is offering free block party-style watch parties and other viewing events. There is also a new sports shuttle through Bellair Charters.

• Bellingham’s Trackside Beer Garden, located at a new waterfront development, will host six free watch parties for key matches throughout the summer. 
• On June 19 — the Team USA vs. Australia game — there will be a block party event on downtown’s Commercial Street and a watch party at Trackside.
• Bellingham Sportsplex will have “Saturday Family Fun Fan Zones” with billiard soccer and soccer darts, along with “bubble soccer” where people can romp around in inflated plastic spheres.

Everett

Visitors looking for a complete day trip can "be surprised!" in Everett.

• The Imagine Children’s Museum is opening an immersive soccer-themed exhibit for children. 
• The Flying Heritage Combat and Armor Museum is Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection of vintage aircraft. 
• Kayak rental from KayakShare, a self-service kiosk at Jetty Landing Park. 
• The Historic Everett Theatre, a remodeled building dating back to 1901, hosts concerts, comedy and films. 

Everett’s historic waterfront Boxcar Park will feature live match broadcasts, food trucks, beer gardens and a pre-match DJ. The free event is for all ages and will offer face painting, gaming trailers, soccer activities and programming from Imagine Children’s Museum. The dates are June 11, 12, 18 and 19.

Parking near the port is scarce, so it's recommended that visitors take one of the free shuttles from Everett Station and Everpark Garage.

Bremerton

From beer to boats, Bremerton visitors can take a break from sports.

• The Kitsap History Museum and the Puget Sound Naval Museum are options for those who want to explore the region's history.
• The downtown association is holding the Bremerton Beer Festival on Father’s Day. Tickets to participate in tastings are required.

Bremerton's fan zone is within walking distance of the city’s ferry terminal. If you’re traveling from Seattle, you can hop on the Kitsap Fast Ferry, or a Washington state ferry, to make your way over to the western edge of the Puget Sound.

All Bremerton fan zone events are free and open to all ages. The Bremerton Downtown Association is pairing matches with live music and other activities. Some watch parties will also have themes, such as a Juneteenth block party, Pride Night, and the United State’s 250th anniversary. Food and drinks will be available. Adults are also free to walk around the fan zone with alcoholic beverages.

Renton

Renton, the base camp for the Belgium National Team, has theater and waterfront walks. For people who want an alternative to soccer, it also has golf.

• The Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park spans a section of the Lake Washington shore, allowing for activities on the land and water.
• People can visit a memorial for Jimi Hendrix at the Greenwood Memorial Park cemetery.
• Renton Civic Theatre is putting on performances of Footloose from June 5 - 21.
• Renton is home to Topgolf, a driving range for golfing enthusiasts. 
  

For soccer fans, the City of Renton turned a former gravel pit into an outdoor gathering space, equipped with a playground, a stage and a futsal court. Called Legacy Square, it opens June 6 and boasts a 15-foot screen to show the matches.  

• A free watch party Renton Ready to Play will take place in the new park on June 18. There will be family-friendly activities and games, as well as an all-ages beverage garden.
• During the World Cup, the Belgium National Team will call the Virginia Mason Athletic Center home, which will likely draw fans trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite players. It’s also where the Seattle Sounders FC usually practice.

Puyallup

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians holds is the first Indigenous nation to be formally represented at the World Cup. The tribe plans to celebrate with fireworks, watch parties and traditional games.

• A parade down Portland Ave on June 12 leads to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Administration building on Puyalupabsh St. for an opening ceremony. The tribe will host watch parties there as well.
• The tribe will host the 2026 World Cup Pow-Wow from June 19 - 21.
• A three-day Stickgame Tournament takes place from June 26 - 28. A traditional Coast Salish guessing game, one player hides a bone in each hand — one marked and the other unmarked. That team uses body language and other mechanisms to throw off their opponents, who have to guess which hand contains the unmarked bone.

The Puyallup Tribe is holding other watch parties across the area, including at the Emerald Queen Casino, Woven Seafood and Chophouse, Commencement Bay Cannabis on 72nd St. and Firecracker Alley.

Olympia-Lacey

Open-air waterfront views and the atmosphere of a smaller town beckon soccer viewers to the Olympia-Lacey fan zone. Organizers hope spectators will come for the fan zone events and enjoy all that Thurston County has to offer.

• Tumwater Craft District offers a mix of dining and artisan fare, just a short bus ride from the fan zone. Routes 13 and 12 run every 20-30 minutes seven days a week.  Bus Transit in Olympia is free for all riders. 
• Olympia Farmers Market is open Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. It's close enough to the fan zone that some might consider parking there, getting snacks and walking to the big screens.
• The Legislative Building is open for Capitol Campus Tours seven days a week.
• Scenic driving: the Bountiful Byway offers a 60-mile self-guided tour of Thurston county farms and historical sites. The county also boasts lots of great bike riding on country roads.
• Beaches and boardwalks: coastal destinations such as Ocean Shores, Westport and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are within easy reach by car, as well as Grunge destination Aberdeen.

For soccer fans, the capital city and its biggest suburb have joined forces to offer giant LED screens, music, family-friendly fun and a wide variety of food to accompany four days of live match screenings on June 19, 24, 25, and 26 at Port Plaza on Budd Inlet in downtown Olympia.

• Get there early to snag a picnic table seat or tall table. Bring chairs if you want to sit.
• General admission is $10 per match for adults and free for youth 12 and under; a VIP experience is available for $75. Outside food is welcome. Since the fan zone is all outdoors, people should come dressed for the weather.
• Indoor watch parties for all the matches will be hosted at the Palisade Declivity Event Center in nearby Tumwater.
• Free Community Soccer Day will take place at Capitol Soccer Fields on June 27. All ages, anyone can play, 10am -1pm. ‘Join a 3V3 Jamboree’ and bring your friends! Play first, then go watch the pros.  

Other cultural events

Even without a major international sporting event, Washington summers buzz with events celebrating art, food, music, and the area's natural beauty. Take a timeout from soccer with one of these events, many of which are free.

Self-guided mural walk from Belltown to the Chinatown-International District in Seattle
Ongoing
🎟️ Free

Meeker Days Festival in Puyallup
June 12 - 14
🎟️ Free

Indigenous People Festival at Seattle Center Festál
June 13
🎟️ Free

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Discover Pass Free Parking Day on Juneteenth
June 19
🚗 Parking is free at Washington state parks, no Discover Pass needed

Edmonds Arts Festival
The festival features more than 210 painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers and other artisans.
June 19-21
🎟️ Free, with paid tickets for certain events

Blues & Brews Festival in Stevenson
There will be live blues music on two stages, local food, and drinks from the Columbia Gorge region for this 21+ event.
June 19-20
🎟️ $20 - $35

Fremont Solstice Parade & Fair
A lively celebration of the Summer Solstice featuring a parade, craft market, music, and art.
June 20
🎟️ Free

Olympic Airshow in Olympia
The airshow will include aircraft and displays going back to World War II, as well as performers, tours and rides.
June 20-21
🎟️ $22 - $7

Lacey Pride Night Market
A lively marketplace with food vendors, local artisans and live entertainment. People can explore themed elements celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.
June 26
🎟️ Free

The Taste NW Food Festival in Puyallup
This festival will have live music, more than 150 food and shopping vendors, and the 2nd annual Puyallup Paddle Battle Pickleball Tournament.
June 26-28
🎟️ Free

Tacoma Highland Games in Graham
A day full of Scottish tradition and fun, there is also a celtic concert on June 26.
June 27
🎟️ $17 - 20

Bremerton Bridge Blast
The largest bridge fireworks show on the West Coast, there is also food, drinks, crafts and music.
June 27-29
🎟️ Free

Seattle Pride Parade
This community-led event brings more than 300,000 into the streets annually, marching for joy, justice, and belonging.
June 28
🎟️ Free

Seafair 4th of July in Seattle
This event has pre-show activities during the day and a fully choreographed and musically-timed fireworks display.
July 4
🎟️ Free, with paid reserved seating available

Resources

Reuse Seattle has tips for hosting zero-waste watch parties. The City of Seattle has guidelines and requirements for people who want to host their own World Cup events.

There is an app that takes you on a tour of Seattle and offers chances to win prizes.

There is also a SeattleFWC26 Community Event Calendar.

KNKX and NPR coverage

The World Cup stretches far beyond the soccer stadiums. From crowds to events, it’s going to have a big impact on our region and cities across North America.

As part of our local news coverage, KNKX will be reporting on this major international event in our backyard. A member of the NPR Network, KNKX will also bring you updates from NPR and other member stations around the country.

Tune in to KNKX at 88.5 FM or online for more soccer stories. See the latest at KNKX.org/worldcup.