SEATTLE—The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Tuesday, October 1, that the city will be hosting the official Seattle Fan Celebration for the FIFA World Cup 26 at the Seattle Center.
The Fan Celebration is expected to serve as a destination for the, estimated, 750,000 visitors who will visit Seattle and the region over the course of the soccer tournament.
“Located within the heart of the city, Seattle Center is the perfect location for the Seattle Fan Celebration,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of Seattle FWC26. “This fan experience will create a place where fans – whether residents or visitors – can come together to watch live broadcasts every Seattle match day, be entertained by local artists, participate in on-site activities, and enjoy local food & beverage. It will be the best place in Seattle to watch a match outside of the stadium itself.
The Fan Celebration will broadcast all Seattle-based FIFA World Cup matches and include entertainment, hospitality areas, sponsorship activations, education displays, and showcases for Made in Washington products, arts and crafts, and food and beverage.
To ensure small and BIPOC-owned businesses share in the economic benefits, SeattleFWC26 will also establish a business opportunity zone, the city said.
By opening the Fan Celebration site at the Seattle Center, the city hopes to provide an accessible fan experience. The Seattle Center was chosen for the site for its easy reach to downtown hotels and the stadium district, by way of public transportation, bicycles, walking, and cars.
The capacity of the Seattle Center is estimated to hold up to 20,000 people at any given time but SeattleFWC26 plans to host nine additional fan zones throughout the tournament to accommodate everyone. The locations for these fan zones will be released in the coming months, the organization said.
“We’re excited to welcome the world to Seattle, and create an interactive, exciting fan experience here at Seattle Center,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “In 1962, Seattle hosted the World’s Fair – building the iconic Space Needle and the Seattle Center campus to showcase the Northwest and our unique arts, culture, and heritage. In 2026, we’ll once again proudly show off our dynamic and diverse city. We’re creating a welcoming and exciting place to watch the matches, engage with fans, and experience the best of our region.”
FIFA unveiled that Seattle is one of 16 host cities for its 2026 World Cup back in June of 2022.
“We congratulate the 16 FIFA World Cup Host Cities on their outstanding commitment and passion. Today is a historic day – for everyone in those cities and states, for FIFA, for Canada, the USA and Mexico who will put on the greatest show on Earth. We look forward to working together with them to deliver what will be an unprecedented FIFA World Cup and a game-changer as we strive to make football truly global,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Representative Rick Larsen (D-Everett), co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, applauded the decision of FIFA leadership and tournament organizers to name Seattle as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“As a lifelong soccer fan and co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I am excited Puget Sound and Seattle will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Larsen. “The Pacific Northwest represents the future of soccer in North America, and Washingtonians are passionate about the beautiful game. I look forward to sharing with the world all that makes the Evergreen State special!”
Author: Kienan Briscoe
