Seattle kicked off the year winning a championship in (American) football and is now set to host men’s (association) football teams from around the globe during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Marking the largest sporting event the city has ever hosted, it is just one of 16 host locations across North America.
The Emerald City will have six matches during the event’s five-week run from June 11 to July 19. Below, I’ve detailed all pertinent details for football fans looking to make the most of their trip, from practical details on public transport to neighborhood and hotel suggestions, fan zone details and attractions only found in Seattle.
Where is the Seattle venue for the World Cup?
According to FIFA’s official site, games will be played at Seattle Stadium, better known locally by its branded name, Lumen Field. Located in SoDo, it is home to many local teams, including the Seahawks (American football and 2026 Super Bowl Champs), the Sounders (men’s soccer) and the Reign (women’s soccer).
If you haven’t spent much time in Seattle, this neighborhood is an entertainment hub. Directly south are T-Mobile Park, where the MLB’s Seattle Mariners play, plus the WAMU Theater and Showbox SoDo, both music venues. It’s a seven-minute drive sans traffic from downtown and around 20 minutes from SeaTac International Airport.
How can I get to the stadium?
You might think L.A. has the worst traffic in the country, but Seattle gives its SoCal neighbor a run for their money. You can brave the bumper-to-bumper drive to Lumen, but be prepared to pay triple-digit prices to park during the World Cup. Since our stadium is actually in the heart of the city, a better bet is public transportation. Here’s a breakdown of how to get to the stadium.
By car
Lumen Field has two parking lots, the Lumen Field Parking Garage and the Lumen Field North Lot. According to FIFA’s website, all parking must be pre-purchased; no on-site payment will be accepted on match days. Make sure to sign up for alerts so that you’re the first to know when parking goes live. You’ll need to use the ticket-purchasing email address. There are also numerous off-site lots, but those usually aren’t much cheaper.
Ride shares make good alternatives, but have them drop you a few blocks away to avoid congestion.
By bus or light rail
The Link light rail is your best bet for a quick and affordable ride to Lumen. Trains leave every 4 to 15 minutes, with increased service planned during the tournament. Get off at either Stadium or International District/Chinatown stops. Both are roughly a 20-minute walk from the stadium. Payment options include tap-to-pay or pre-purchased ORCA cards. Light rail is also the best way to reach downtown (where you’re likely to be staying) from the airport; the journey lasts 45 minutes. Fares are $3 one-way or $6 for a day pass.
Visitors will also be able to purchase a special three-day transit pass for $21 ($18 for the pass and $3 for the card) upon arrival at Sea-Tac Airport. The pass gives you unlimited rides across the Sound Transit network, including the Link light rail and ST Express buses.
ST Express and King County Metro buses will serve various stops within walking distance to the stadium. Bus fares are $3 one-way.
By regional train
The Sounder
This suburban commuter train has planned special services during the Seattle FIFA matches. Northern trains departing from Everett, Mukilteo and Edmonds stations take about an hour to reach Seattle. Trains from the south depart from Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. The journey takes between an hour and an hour and twenty from the farthest stop.
All trains arrive at Seattle’s King Street Station/Stadium Light rail stop, a 20-minute walk to Lumen Field. Sounder fares range from $3.25 to $5.75, depending on origin.
Amtrak
For those with a slightly longer commute (perhaps you’re catching games in both Seattle and Vancouver), the Amtrak Cascades line provides a scenic waterside journey. Terminating at Seattle’s King Street Station, you can either walk the 20 minutes to Lumen Field or connect to the Link light rail for destinations around Seattle.
Can I still get tickets to the World Cup?
April 1 marked the start of last-minute sales, and very limited tickets are left at the time of writing. The only seats left for the U.S. versus Australia match were $2,715. For all other matches, prices range from $400 to $1,300. The round of 32 only had tickets left at the price tag of $1,545 and the round 16 at $2,085. The official resale site is another option.
Where should I stay in Seattle?
SoDo isn’t really a neighborhood known for hotels. If you’re only in town for a single match or night, the Silver Cloud Hotel - Seattle Stadium is pretty nice and right next to Lumen Field. Most visitors will want to stay downtown, which provides easy access to the stadium, SeaTac Airport and all of Seattle’s top sites.
For a unique stay, we love the Inn at the Market, recently renovated and the only hotel located right in the Emerald City’s iconic Pike Place Market.
What else should I do while visiting Seattle?
The most recognizable skyline feature, the Space Needle, is absolutely worth a reservation. And right next door, visitors can enjoy the Museum of Pop Culture and the Chihuly Garden and Glass (an amazing display of the namesake artist’s unique glasswork). You’ll also want to save time for a stroll on our newly remodeled waterfront and Olympic Sculpture Park—one of the best spots to watch ferries go by.
What’s the match schedule?
Seattle’s match schedule runs on Pacific Time. The first few matches are pre-determined, but the round of 32 and 16 matchups will be decided as games take place. The U.S. men’s team has one confirmed game in Seattle, June 19, against Australia.
Monday, June 15
🇧🇪 Belgium vs. 🇪🇬 Egypt at noon
Friday, June 19
🇺🇸 United States vs. 🇦🇺 Australia at noon
Wednesday, June 24
🇶🇦 Qatar vs. TBD (Winner of Playoff A: Italy/NI/Wales/BIH) at noon
Friday, June 26
🇪🇬 Egypt vs. 🇮🇷 Iran at 8pm
Wednesday, July 1
Group G winners vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place
Group G includes Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland. Group A includes Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia. Group E includes Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador. Group H includes Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Group I includes France, Senegal, Iraq and Norway. Group J includes Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Monday, July 6
Winners of match 81 vs. winners of match 82
Will Seattle host any sort of official fan festivals?
There are four official Fan Zones around the city, and the new, walkable 4.25-mile Unity Loop will connect them all. The Seattle Center, home to the aforementioned Space Needle, will have viewing screens, DJs at the International Fountain and plenty of food vendors. Pacific Place, a large indoor shopping center downtown, is a one-stop shop for all things FIFA; info booths, interactive exhibits and a towering four-story LED screen for viewing are available daily during the tournament.
Waterfront Park will have watch parties on Pier 62 and as well as fun fan celebrations. Finally, Victory Hall in SoDo provides fan experiences closest to the in-person action, as it is located in the same neighborhood as Seattle Stadium. A 23-foot screen will screen all the games throughout the FIFA World Cup.
