WWU News
The Border Policy Research Institute’s newest Fall Border Policy Brief, written by WWU Professor of Journalism and BPRI Fellow Derek Moscato, dives into the cross-border implications of FIFA’s arrival to the Cascadia region in 2026 by examining the intersection of sustainability and global sport.
The study connects FIFA’s forthcoming World Cup tournament matches in Seattle and Vancouver, as well as professional teams in the region, to key themes driving sustainability practice in 2024. For sporting teams and organizers, these initiatives can include stadium building standards, event day transportation planning, emissions benchmarks, and community programming. Additionally, they draw organizers into larger conversations about regional green transportation initiatives such as upgrades to Amtrak’s Cascadia train.
The border brief also points to the growing role of industry organizations like the Green Sports Alliance, which was founded by the late Paul Allen and supported from the beginning by prominent Cascadia region teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Vancouver Canucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Storm, Seattle Sounders, and Seattle Mariners.
The BPRI study draws from in-depth interviews with leading sport executives in the region, from FIFA organizers to executives from teams such as the Seattle Kraken and BC Lions, to show how the Cascadia region has emerged as a sustainability leader within North America for the staging of marquee events like the 2026 World Cup, Vancouver’s previously held Winter Olympics, and signature matches from professional leagues like the NHL and WNBA over the past decade.
This border brief is a part of a larger study conducted by Moscato and the Border Policy Research Institute focused on the cross-border ramifications of FIFA World Cup 2026 in Seattle and Vancouver.
BPRI Research Assistant August Kaster, a WWU senior majoring in environmental studies, worked with Moscato to create a cross-border map of signature Cascadia sporting events since 2010.
“Working with Derek on this Border Brief has been such an awesome and informative introduction into professional cartography. As an Environmental Studies Major and someone who’s grown up around sports in the Cascadia region, this project blended my two interests perfectly,” said Kaster. “Visualizing the magnitude of sporting events in Cascadia was both educational and inspiring. I truly hope my maps contribute to making the FIFA World Cup in Cascadia a successful and sustainable endeavor!”
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