LYNNWOOD—With just a few weeks away until the FIFA World Cup hits the Seattle area, here’s everything to expect in the region and what the City of Lynnwood has been doing to prepare.
Lynnwood Business Engagement
In preparation for the incoming sporting event, the City of Lynnwood distributed a survey over the past year to gather insight into how the business community feels about the World Cup.
The results of that survey showed that most businesses were aware of the World Cup coming to the region, 30% of which believed it would moderately impact their business, and 65% were interested in learning more about marketing and promos tied to the event.
56% of Lynnwood businesses state that they do not have the capacity or resources to host events or promos, and 42% of businesses felt uncertain about the demand.
The Snohomish County Sports Commission has authored a Business Engagement Playbook, the Seattle Chamber has created a Watch Party Playbook, and a Small Business Playbook for references.
In addition, each hotel in Lynnwood has been given guides and maps with things to do in the city and throughout Snohomish County.
Tourism Impacts and Changing Demand
According to Ryan Bush, Tourism Project Manager for the City of Lynnwood, the city is seeing less impact and demand than once previously projected. For example, Visit Seattle initially projected there would be an estimated 750,000 visitors to the region, but has now reduced those projections to about 350,000 people, reducing overall economic impact by about 10%.
Lynnwood hotels have also not seen any increases in bookings for any of the matches, Bush added, with most people booking lodging in downtown Seattle. Domestic travel is also expected to be more likely.
Data shows that the Seattle market is receiving the least number of online searches for bookings, according to Lynnwood staff.
Despite this, Lynnwood is still expected to see some demand due to the light rail station and is working with Community Transit to expand Zip service to match the end of the rail during hours of operation.
While overnight stays may be low, Lynnwood still could experience congestion and foot traffic impacts near light rail, Bush said.
“Overall Lynnwood might not see as big of an impact to foot traffic as we were expecting but we will still play a key role in all of this,” said Bush.
Public Safety
According to Chuck Steichen, Deputy Chief of Police at Lynnwood PD and member of the FIFA Planning Committee, there has been consistent, ongoing, intelligence analysis and reviews to ensure the World Cup in Seattle remains the safest it can possibly be for viewers.
As part of that Planning Committee, he has been reviewing these analyses on a daily/weekly basis for potential threats and considerations.
The Planning Committee has also engaged with Sound Transit several times within the last few months regarding planning and support. Sound Transit will be amping up their train activity, with a train passing through Lynnwood every four minutes during match hours, and every 8 minutes before and after matches.
“Their essential approach for match days are treated very much like the Seahawks parade,” said Steichen.
Sound Transit has also worked with labor to enhance operational capabilities, increasing their shifts of Officers working the platforms, who have received specific training, for threat mitigation.
From June 11 through July 7 the region, and Snohomish County, will be particularly busy between watch parties and match days with significant movement down the I-5 corridor between Vancouver and Seattle with adjacent matches occurring throughout this time.
There will be increased use of Mass Transit on match days, and the days surrounding matches as the teams are in the region and training.
To account for this, there will be enhanced operational staffing of Lynnwood PD Officers on match days, with enhanced staffing and shifts at Lynnwood Station.
Lynnwood PD officers will also be providing officers for motor escorts in Seattle for team and dignitary movements (paid by Seattle federal grants) and provide specialty units prepared to provide support for events within Snohomish and King Counties, and augmenting services within impacted communities.
Lynnwood City Councilwoman Derica Escamilla asked Deputy Chief Steichen if the City of Lynnwood is prepared for the anticipated security threat. Steichen said there could always be unpredictability but, based upon intelligent analysis reports, the city is “in a good spot.”
Game and event schedule
The World Cup will have matches from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the largest watched sporting event in the world (more so than the Super Bowl and the Olympics)
The Seattle match dates include the following:
- June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt (noon)
- June 19: USA vs. Australia (noon)
- June 24: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar (noon)
- June 26: Egypt vs. Iran (8 p.m.)
- July 1: Round of 32 (1 p.m.)
- July 6 – Round of 16 (5 p.m.)
Nearby Vancouver, B.C., will also have the following seven matches:
- June 13: Australia vs. Turkiye (9 p.m.)
- June 18: Canada vs. Qatar (3 p.m.)
- June 21: New Zealand vs. Egypt (6 p.m.)
- June 24: Switzerland vs. Canada (noon)
- June 26: New Zealand vs. Belgium (8 p.m.)
- July 2: Round of 32 (8 p.m.)
- July 7: Round of 16 (1 p.m.)
It is expected that many soccer enthusiasts will be traveling up and down the I-5 corridor, moving from match-to-match, impacting traffic.
The City of Lynnwood, proper, will not be hosting any events but there will still be many events within the city limits including:
- Alderwood Mall Watch Party on June 13
- Kick it at the Library – Lynnwood Library on June 27
- Soccer Shots Summer Funday – South Lynnwood Park on June 27
- Dave and Buster’s will host watch parties throughout
- The District Summer Sounds Concert and Market on June 7 and July 8
- The Snohomish County Arts Commission Great Soccer Ball Hunt, which includes one sculpture located at Meadowdale Beach Park, and passport savings program with many participating Lynnwood businesses
The City’s Parks and Recreation Department also received a grant from Economic Alliance Snohomish County to create an art project in the city using soccer balls – decorated by 20 different artists – that will be displayed around City Hall. These soccer balls will be auctioned off after the World Cup, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Lynnwood Food Bank.
Additional FIFA events
In addition to the Lynnwood specific events, there are nine FIFA Fan zones within Washington. Snohomish County has one, located in the City of Everett at Boxcar Park. There are four Matchday events in Everett, called “Watch Parties” (which are FIFA sponsored) including the following:
- Thursday, June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa (opens at 10 a.m., match begins at 12 p.m.)
- Friday, June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (opens at 4 p.m., match kicks off at 6 p.m.)
- Thursday, June 18: Mexico vs. South Korea (opens at 4 p.m., match begins at 6 p.m.)
- Friday, June 19: USA vs. Australia (opens at 10 a.m., match begins at noon)
There will also be Seattle Fan Celebrations at four different sites within the City in addition to countless informal events (which are evolving more every day and still being identified).
Author: Kienan Briscoe
