EVERETT – The Port of Everett is bringing soccer spirit to Waterfront Place this June with “Pathway to the Pitch,” a monthlong series of community events, family activities, themed promotions and public art installations leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches hosted in the Seattle region.
The celebration culminates in four free Waterfront Watch Parties at Boxcar Park on June 11, 12, 18 and 19, hosted in partnership with the City of Everett and Snohomish County Sports Commissionas part of the Everett Fan Zone.
“We are proud to welcome visitors to Waterfront Place year-round, but summer is when it’s really our time to shine – and the Waterfront Watch Parties will kick off the season in a fun, memorable way,” Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett CEO/Executive Director, said. “Come early and stay late and make sure to explore all that the waterfront has to offer from restaurants, parks, plazas, music, games, views and more.”
Read on for more information about the Pathway to the Pitch waterfront events and activities in June, and what to expect for the Everett Fan Zone’s Waterfront Watch Parties at Boxcar Park on June 11, 12, 18 and 19.
As a way to welcome fans to Waterfront Place, the Port has created a monthlong slate of activities to invite people to the waterfront. Whether a first-time visitor to the waterfront or a regular, there will be something new to discover and enjoy at Waterfront Place this June. Many thanks for Economic Alliance Snohomish County for supporting Pathway to the Pitch.
Pathway to the Pitch Activities in June include:
Soccer Float Find (June 1-5; float sale on June 5 noon – 2 p.m.)
The Port of Everett and Schack Art Center are partnering once again to bring art to the waterfront – this time with a soccer spin on Float Find. Ten clear clue balls will be hidden each day June 1-5 around Waterfront Place. Participants who find a clue ball can exchange it for one of 50 limited-edition soccer-inspired glass floats created by artists at Schack Art Center. Each clue ball will contain redemption instructions for pickup at Hotel Indigo. One float per person, please. The soccer-themed Float Find will culminate Friday, June 5, from noon – 2 p.m. with a waterfront celebration at Pacific Rim Plaza next to Hotel Indigo (1028 13th St., Everett) featuring float sales from Schack Art Center and live steel drum music with Panessence.
The larger Float Find program will return July 10 – Aug. 29 with floats of all colors. Learn more at www.portofeverett.com/FloatFind.
Soccer Drink Bingoal (June 1-30)
Play Soccer Drink Bingoal at participating Waterfront Place restaurants. Similar to the Port’s fall and winter drink bingos, try soccer-themed drink specials from coffee to mocktails and cocktails to sweet treats at participating waterfront restaurants. Visitors can pick up a bingo card at participating waterfront restaurants throughout June and earn stamps for each featured drink purchased. Completed bingo card can be turned in at the white “Bingoal” drop box located at the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza (near Hotel Indigo) by July 10 to be entered into a drawing for a gift card to your favorite waterfront restaurant. All establishments have non-alcoholic options available; drink menu coming soon. The first 10 people to turn in completed bingo cards will also receive a commemorative Port-themed soccer scarf! Learn more at www.portofeverett.com/bingoal.
Paws-Up Warm-Up (June 8, noon – 2 p.m.)
Kick off the first week of Waterfront Watch Parties on Monday, June 8 from noon – 2 p.m. at Pacific Rim Plaza with “Paws Up Warm-Up” with dogs from Summit Assistance Dogs. Meet service dogs and watch the younger dogs play in an enclosed pen with small soccer balls and talk with trainers to learn more about the kinds of tasks a mobility service dog can do and visit with the pups.
Soccer Stories (June 16; noon – 1 p.m.)
Kids and their families are invited to listen to “World Folktales for the World Cup! Stories with Everett Public Library” on Tuesday, June 16 from noon – 1 p.m. at Pacific Rim Plaza. Librarians will share cultural stories and folktales from countries participating in the World Cup.
Waterfront Place Open House (June 25, 4-7 p.m.):
Join Port of Everett at the annual Waterfront Place Community Open House on Thursday, June 25, between 4-7 p.m. at Pacific Rim Plaza to learn more about the Port of Everett’s mixed-use development. Chat with developers and Port staff about ongoing projects, get to know community partners and businesses, and hear about what’s coming next to Snohomish County’s destination waterfront – including the full schedule of summer events like Float Find, Jetty Island Days, Music at the Marina, Harbor Hopper, Harbor Tours, Rock the Boat concerts, Sail-In Cinema outdoor movies, and more. Live steel drum music from Panessance and free froyo from Menchie’s at the Marina will be offered. Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/WaterfrontPlace
Score with Waterfront Place Restaurants Specials (June): Visit the restaurants at Waterfront Place to try specials, including soccer-inspired menu items, events, and more!
SeattleFWC26 Everett Fan Zone Waterfront Watch Parties
The City of Everett has been named one of Washington state’s nine official SeattleFWC26 Fan Zones, where fans from near and far can take part in the excitement of the world’s largest soccer tournament while exploring communities across the region.
The City of Everett, Port of Everett and Snohomish County Sports Commission have teamed up to create a memorable summer of fun, including four FREE, all-ages Waterfront Watch Parties on June 11, 12, 18 and 19 at the Port’s Boxcar Park at Waterfront Place. Watch Parties will open two hours before kickoff and continue two hours after each match concludes. Fans can enjoy live match broadcasts on a giant screen alongside music, rotating food trucks, a beer garden, free KIDSZONE activities and more with the best waterfront view in the region. Waterfront Watch Parties for noon matches will also feature a foam party at the end of the game.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Everett restaurants, shops and public spaces before and after each match.
Waterfront Watch Party Dates & Schedule
- Waterfront Watch Party | Mexico v. South Africa (June 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- Waterfront Watch Party | USA v. Paraguay (June 12, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
- Waterfront Watch Party | Mexico v. South Korea (June 18, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
- Waterfront Watch Party | USA v. Australia (June 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Waterfront Watch Parties – Know Before You Go
Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early. Go to www.visiteverett.com/1535/Know-Before-You-Go to learn more about the event and find the highlights below.
Parking & Transportation
Visitor parking will be available throughout Waterfront Place and surrounding areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Event parking rates will be in effect.
Find the Port’s Insider’s Guide to Parking at Waterfront Place to see visitor lots and helpful tips on how to plan your visit for the Waterfront Watch Parties and year-round at www.portofeverett.com/parkingguide and the map at www.portofeverett.com/parkingmap.
Visitors can also take advantage of the Port’s FREE onsite waterfront shuttle to get to the Waterfront Watch Parties at Boxcar Park, as visitor parking will likely fill up quickly in lots closest to Boxcar Park; additional parking may be found in Marina Village or the North Marina. Learn more about the shuttle at www.portofeverett.com/waterfrontshuttle.
Visitors are encouraged to carpool, walk, bike, use rideshare services or utilize public transportation whenever possible.
Everett Transit is running a FREE shuttle from downtown Everett beginning 2 hours and 15 minutes before match kickoff that will run every 15 minutes before the match starts and continue during and after the match. The Everett Transit Fan Zone shuttle has multiple stops throughout Everett and will drop riders off near the entrance to the Fan Zone at Boxcar Park. Find shuttle stops and more information at www.visiteverett.com/1534/Watch-Party-Shuttles.
Tulalip Tribes, one of the sponsors of the Everett Fan Zone Waterfront Watch Parties, is also offering a FREE shuttle from Tulalip Resort Casino. Shuttles will run approximately every 30 minutes between Tulalip Resort Casino (S.E. Curb) and drop fans off at the “Fishermen’s Tribute” statue at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. For more information, go to www.everythingtulalip.com.
Hotel Indigo is also now offering daytime paid public parking at its parking lot.
Security Information
Advanced security measures will be in place throughout each Waterfront Watch Party to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees. Law enforcement, security personnel and event staff will be stationed throughout the venue.
All Waterfront Watch Party attendees will be required to go through a general security screening process. A bag policy will be in effect and all bags will be subject to inspection. Clear plastic or vinyl bags no larger than 12”x6”x12” or the size of a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag are encouraged for faster entry. Small, personal non-clear bags, which can include backpacks, purses, or tote bags are allowed, but will require additional screening and may slow entry. All attendees are asked to only bring one bag; diaper bags and coolers are allowed and do NOT count toward the one-bag limit, but will be searched.
Attendees are permitted to bring low-profile, folding lawn/beach chairs for use in designated viewing areas.
Go to https://www.visiteverett.com/1535/Know-Before-You-Go for a list of acceptable and prohibited items inside the Waterfront Watch Parties.
Food Trucks & Beer Garden
Each Watch Party will feature up to 10 rotating food trucks serving a variety of food and non-alcoholic beverages. A beer garden for guests 21+ will also be available onsite. Go to /www.visiteverett.com/1532/Waterfront-Watch-Parties to learn more and see the lineup.
Outside food and drink policy: Attendees ARE allowed to bring outside food and drink for personal consumption. Each attendee is allowed to bring one small cooler (hard or soft-sided) measuring 9-12 quarts in capacity. Outside alcohol, metal flatware and knives are not permitted to be brought into the Waterfront Watch Parties.
Kids Zone
The free KIDSZONE will feature soccer-themed games like soccer drills and 1-on-1 soccer matches, face painting, mobile video game trailer, aqua paddlers and more! The KIDSZONE is a family-friendly entertainment area for families and younger fans to visit throughout the event. Imagine Children’s Museum will be at Boxcar Park each Waterfront Watch Party day for cultural and educational programming to celebrate the day’s playing teams, from games to crafts to dance and more!
Music & Entertainment
Everett Music Initiative is working on a great lineup of DJs to warm-up the crowd before kickoff and to keep fans engaged during halftime. Watch Parties for noon matches will feature live bands after the final whistle; live music is planned to begin at 6 p.m.
Photo Ops
Remember the moment with fun photo ops around the waterfront and Fan Zone like soccer nets, an illuminated sculpture of the Everett Fan Zone whale tail, the giant PORT letters, and more. Be sure to check out the Port’s crab mural, little girl statue, and more across Waterfront Place. Visitors can also collect commemorative items like Fan Zone swag, Port-themed soccer scarves, and more.
For additional information about Waterfront Watch Parties, go to www.visiteverett.com/1535/Know-Before-You-Go
For additional information, contact the Port of Everett Public Affairs team at publicaffairs@portofeverett.com.
About Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place
The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is a new 1.5-million square foot mixed-use development located on 65 acres at the waterfront near the downtown core in Everett, Washington. The development boasts spectacular views, waterfront access, recreational amenities, and a world-class marina – the largest public Marina on the West Coast – with 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. At full build-out, the Waterfront Place mixed-use development will include 63,000 square feet (sf) of retail/restaurant space, another 20,000 sf of marine retail, 447,500 sf of office, two waterfront hotels, and up to 660 waterfront housing units. Featured amenities include new trails and regional parks, public gathering spaces, a variety of fine and casual dining, local shops, and marine sales and services. The project’s expected $1 billion in public/private investment is estimated to support nearly 2,100 family-wage jobs and generate $8.6 million annually in state and local sales taxes. To date, the Port has facilitated more than $350 million in public/private investment here, with more to come. Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/wpc.
Source: Port of Everett
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
