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365 Days to Go until FIFA World Cup 26™
The excitement for the FIFA World Cup 26™ is building across Seattle and Washington state, but our vision extends far beyond the final whistle. We're not just preparing to host a global event; we're committed to ensuring that the World Cup leaves a meaningful and lasting impact in our community. From new soccer pitches to inclusive fan experiences and vital infrastructure upgrades, SeattleFWC26 is working to create a legacy that will benefit Washingtonians for years to come.
One Year to Go Celebrations
On June 11th, we’re celebrating “One Year to Go” with fans and SeattleFWC26 soccer legends across Washington. Our amazing fan zone partners in Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Olympia and Spokane are celebrating today’s milestone with local fans. Our partners at the City of Seattle are unveiling a new countdown clock at Seattle Center, host to next summer’s Seattle Fan Celebration. We are grateful for the collaboration to ensure as many Washingtonians as possible can enjoy next summer’s once-in-a-lifetime experience with friends and neighbors across this place we call home.
Seattle Takes on the World
June 15th marks the one year till the World Cup kickoff in Seattle! Sounders FC, Reign FC, RAVE Foundation, SeattleFWC26, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians are hosting a celebration to attempt to set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the world’s largest soccer lesson. We’re excited to make history together, and celebrate Seattle’s new waterfront, as we kickoff the road to 2026.
Neighborhood Liaisons
The neighborhoods that bear most of the burden of megaevents in Seattle should share more in the prosperity of those events. Leaving a legacy means supporting community-based partners who will continue the work beyond the final whistle. With the support of the Washington State Public Stadium Authority and Washington Department of Commerce, SeattleFWC26 contracted with the SODO BIA, Chinatown-International District Small Business Relief Team, and Alliance for Pioneer Square so our Stadium Neighborhood partners can hire World Cup Liaisons. Each neighborhood will have a dedicated liaison to provide in-language advice, information, and assistance that helps residents and small businesses be ready in 2026.
OneCourt Partnership
SeattleFWC26 has partnered with OneCourt to debut OneCourt’s first tactile broadcast for soccer at Lumen Field. Offered free of charge during the three Seattle Sounders matches during this summer’s international club competition, the activation ensures that Blind and Low Vision fans can experience the excitement in real-time. Five OneCourt devices will be available across the three matches, marking the debut of OneCourt’s live soccer experience and reinforcing SeattleFWC26’s shared commitment to accessibility and inclusive fan experience.
Puyallup Tribe of Indians Legacy Update
Presenting Legacy Supporter, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, have identified five pillars they’re focused on advancing as part of FIFA World Cup 26 coming to our region: legacy efforts, World Cup Powwow, Opening Ceremony, Community Involvement and Environmental Sustainability. We could not be more proud of this partnership.
Construction Update
Investments in improvements to local sports facilities are well underway in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 26. In addition to construction at Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), pitch replacement is scheduled this summer at Seattle’s two venue-specific training sites - the University of Washington (UW) and Seattle University, as well as field lighting upgrades at UW.
Advisory Committees Launched
SeattleFWC26 has convened local experts to serve on five advisory bodies with specific charters to guide our legacy efforts for Human Rights, Pride, Juneteenth, Accessibility, and Sustainability. The committees will validate our community-informed priorities, provide guidance to refine our strategies, inform which coalitions we align and communicate with, and receive progress and outcome reports.
Pride Match Design Contest
With hundreds of thousands of visitors and billions of global viewers tuning in to Seattle during Pride Weekend, we are presented with a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact. This moment allows us to welcome the world, inspire our LGBTQ+ community, and uplift LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations. The Seattle Pride Match design will serve as an iconic visual legacy, uniting people across the globe to our city and state during the largest sporting event in history.
RAVE Mini-Pitches
Beyond the thrilling matches, a core part of our mission at SeattleFWC26 is to leverage this global spotlight to benefit our community long after the last whistle. That's why we're so proud to highlight the incredible work of the RAVE Foundation, a key partner of our local organizing committee. Alongside Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, RAVE recently announced the locations of the next 14 soccer mini-pitches they’re building across the state by the end of the year, as part of their '26 Fields by 2026' initiative. In addition to these new 14 fields, RAVE have already opened 26 fields and plan to build more next year. These new free-play opportunities are a direct result of our shared commitment to ensure that after the FIFA World Cup 26 ends, the state of Washington is left with 52 more accessible spaces for kids to play.
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None of this incredible work would be possible without the unwavering support of local and state governments and officials, our dedicated partners, the passionate community of Washington state, and our Presenting Legacy Sponsor, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Thank you for helping us bring our shared vision to life, not just as a sporting event, but as a catalyst for lasting positive change.
We're just getting started, and there's so much more to come as we get closer to 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on how SeattleFWC26 is building a legacy that will be celebrated for generations!
