Seattle, Washington, will host six FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field.
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The first game, Belgium versus Egypt, will take place on June 16, 2026. On June 19, Team USA will also face off against Australia, adding to the excitement. The final match, Match 94 in the Round of 16 (teams TBD), will take place on July 6, 2026.
For three weeks, the city will transform into a sports lover’s whirlwind—and there will be an overlap with the 250th Fourth of July celebration shortly before the World Cup tournament concludes.
In short, it’s going to be a busy, thrilling time to be in Seattle. If you’re looking for ways to optimize your trip to Seattle during the FIFA World Cup, here’s my advice.
Seattle FIFA World Cup tips: 5 things to consider
Skip cars and stick to public transportation or walking
First up, let’s talk about Lumen Field. Lumen Field (home to the NFL’s Seahawks) is located in SoDo, aka South of Downtown. If you’re going to attend a World Cup match, you need to stay as close to that area as possible. Lumen Field is accessible on foot and via public transportation.
I’ll cover where to stay in Seattle below. Regardless of where you end up staying, you shouldn’t be driving in/out of downtown Seattle during its busy FIFA World Cup hosting schedule. It’s also going to be packed for the city’s America250 celebrations.
Plan to use public transportation through the city’s downtown and Pioneer Square neighborhoods. The Link light rail (which also connects to the airport) will drop you off at the field at Stadium Station. You can also take a Sounder or Amtrak train to the King Street Station, then walk over.
If you’re in a bind, you can use a rideshare to get around. However, I recommend taking the light rail to/from Stadium Station to reach Lumen Field, then taking it out of the congested area before hailing a ride from Uber.
Stay in Downtown Seattle or venture out to Bellevue
There are two neighborhoods you should try to stay in: Downtown Seattle or Pioneer Square. They’re convenient for a few reasons. First, you can get to Lumen Field easily from either area. Second, they’re surrounded by restaurants and shops, letting you easily take care of meals and even entertainment without needing to catch a ride.
I also recommend checking out the city of Bellevue. Bellevue is located adjacent to Seattle, between Lake Washington and the Cascades. Using the light rail, you can reach Seattle in as little as 30 minutes. A new line also just opened across Lake Washington for added mobility.
Bellevue gives you a hard-to-beat balance between those big-city amenities travelers look for and the natural spoils of the Pacific Northwest. For example, you can kayak and paddleboard straight from its downtown waterfront trails. There’s also a 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden to check out.
Take advantage of the free experiences available
Seattle has more social services available for residents than most other American cities. For example, its electric and water/sewage services are publicly owned—along with the famous Lumen Field. If you’re in town over the FIFA World Cup period, you can join the city’s free events and workshops focused on the global sport.
You can explore different events on the Seattle FWC26 page, which includes lectures, workshops, and even soccer clinics. Some events have already taken place, with plenty more scheduled for the coming months leading up to the World Cup Finals match in July.
Just to reiterate: They’re really cool. For example, there’s an ongoing ‘Bonsai United’ exhibition at the Pacific Bonsai Museum, which draws inspiration from the cross-cultural power of sports tournaments like the World Cup.
Don’t miss out on Seattle’s quirky workshops
If you’ve visited Seattle before, then you probably remember its distinct, quirky character. I recently covered a list of creative hands-on workshops that you can book via Airbnb in Seattle. It’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to memorable experiences. If you’re visiting during the World Cup, don’t forget to book a few courses.
Plan for light showers
Want to know one of the best things about Seattle hosting the FIFA World Cup in June and July? It coincides with the city’s dry season. Usually, the city gets just over two inches of rain during these months, meaning you don’t need to plan for heavy showers. Instead, pack a light poncho to throw on in case the forecast predicts showers.
