Seattle Is Winning at Hosting the World Cup - The Urbanist

The sports literati have spoken and Seattle has climbed to the top of the pack for World Cup host cities in the United States. The Athletic ranked Seattle as the No. 1 stadium experience among FIFA Men's World Cup 2026 venues. Likewise, Sports Illustrated is a big fan of Cascadia, putting Vancouver, B.C. No. 1 and Seattle No. 2, noting the mild climate and walkable urban charm of both cities. "Unlike many of its U.S. counterparts, Lumen Field sits within walking distance of the downtown core and is accessible by public transit," Sports Illustrated noted. "Situated next to T-Mobile Park, home to the MLB’s Seattle Mariners, the stadium district offers plenty of areas for fans to hang out before and after the game. Tourists can also check out the famed Space Needle and the fish-throwing stalls of the Pike Place Market, which also features the world’s first-ever Starbucks." On Tuesday, Seattle's World Cup organizing committee threw a press event at Overlook Walk below Pike Place Market to trumpet their success. Governor Bob Ferguson led a contingent of officials giddy with World Cup fever and civic boosters riding an incredible high as Seattle shined on the international stage. "We have heard from fans, players, and international media that Seattle has become one of the standout host cities of this tournament," Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said. "That is a testament to years of planning, strong partnerships." Wilson stressed that hosting World Cup festivities has injected the city with energy, and provided plenty of momentum to carry forward to make the city a better place to be for tourists and locals alike long after the dust has settled from this particular tournament. "Seattle has felt alive. You could see it in Pioneer Square, before the kickoff, at the waterfront, at the Seattle Center, downtown, across our neighborhoods," Wilson said. "Everywhere you looked, people were wearing jerseys, waving flags, gathering with friends and family, and celebrating together. There has been a real sense of joy throughout our city. One of the things that we've been most proud of is how the celebration has spread across Seattle. Instead of just one gathering place, we've created four official fan celebration sites, and have invited people to explore our different neighborhoods, support our local businesses, and experience more of what makes Seattle unique." Seattle's official fan celebration sites included Pioneer Square, Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, and SoDo's Victory Hall, with a match day shuttle connecting them. Several more fan zones are spread out across the region. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said that energy is spilling out well beyond Seattle. "Every single corner of King County has been buzzing," Zahilay said. "I was proud last Friday to enjoy Gather for Goals, which is the largest FIFA-approved watch party in unincorporated King County. It was happening in White Center, and fans were packing the streets. Our businesses were really experiencing the impact of that. I saw youth playing soccer and having fun. It's been just a really amazing thing to see across King County." Seattle's standing out among its peers is partially an indictment of how other U.S. cities have designed their stadium districts. Most are marooned out in distant suburbs hemmed in by highways and parking lots. Bay Area's 49ers football stadium, converted to World Cup duties, is exiled in Santa Clara, a full 40 miles from San Francisco.