Things to Do During the World Cup in Seattle

Seattle hosts World Cup 2026 matches at Lumen Field — one of the few venues you can walk to from the city centre. The home of the Sounders brings one of MLS's best atmospheres, plus Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, world-class coffee, and Pacific Northwest seafood.

1. 1

   Watch matches at the FIFA Fan Festival at Seattle Center

   Fan Zone

   Seattle Center — home to the Space Needle — is the likely location for the official FIFA Fan Festival. Giant screens, live entertainment, and food vendors in one of Seattle's most iconic public spaces.

   Browse Seattle fan zones
2. 2

   Catch a match at Lumen Field

   Attraction

   Lumen Field (capacity 69,000) is the home of the Seattle Sounders and one of the loudest stadiums in America. Walk from downtown in 15 minutes or take the Link Light Rail to Stadium station. Open-air with partial cover — July in Seattle is sunny and dry (20-27°C / 68-81°F).

   You can walk from Pike Place Market to the stadium in 15 minutes. No car or transit needed if staying downtown.

3. 3

   Explore Pike Place Market

   Attraction

   Seattle's iconic market is far more than fish throwing and the original Starbucks. Spend hours exploring the multiple levels, artisan shops, and food stalls. Pike Place Chowder does award-winning clam chowder, and Piroshky Piroshky serves Russian-style stuffed pastries.

4. 4

   Visit the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass

   Attraction

   The Space Needle offers 360-degree views from the observation deck. Next door, Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases Dale Chihuly's stunning blown-glass sculptures in indoor galleries and an outdoor garden. Both are at the Seattle Center, near the likely fan festival location.

5. 5

   Eat Pacific Northwest seafood

   Food & Drink

   Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar (Capitol Hill and Pioneer Square) serves pristine Pacific Northwest oysters. Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard is the upscale raw bar — no reservations, come early. For a quick bite, Pike Place Chowder's smoked salmon chowder is unique to Seattle.

6. 6

   Coffee crawl through the independents

   Food & Drink

   Seattle is the coffee capital of America. Skip the Starbucks line and visit the independents: Elm Coffee Roasters in Pioneer Square (5-minute walk from the stadium), Victrola on Capitol Hill, and Espresso Vivace for the best espresso in the Pacific Northwest.

7. 7

   Watch parties in Pioneer Square

   Sports Bar

   Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighbourhood directly north of Lumen Field, will be buzzing on match days. Fuel Sports is a multi-screen sports bar. The bars along 1st Avenue South and Occidental Square host Sounders watch parties regularly.

8. 8

   Visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

   Attraction

   Designed by Frank Gehry, MoPOP at the Seattle Center covers music, sci-fi, and gaming with interactive exhibits. A highlight for anyone with even a passing interest in pop culture, and conveniently located near the Space Needle.

9. 9

   Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island

   Day Trip

   A 35-minute ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island gives you stunning Puget Sound and skyline views. Walk on, walk off — no car needed. Explore the charming small-town shops and restaurants, then ferry back for an evening match.

10. 10

    Hike Discovery Park or explore the waterfront

    Outdoors

    Discovery Park in Magnolia has trails through old-growth forest with views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Closer to downtown, the renovated Seattle Waterfront and Olympic Sculpture Park (free) make for a pleasant morning walk.