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Redmond Mayor Angela Birney wants World Cup tourism to spur long-term economic growth.
As buzz for the 2026 FIFA World Cup grows, Redmond wants to make sure it has the resources to capitalize on the moment.
The proposed 2025-2026 biennial budget for the Eastside city includes $2 million in investments for the quadrennial soccer tournament.
With Lumen Field hosting four group-stage matches and two knockout-round matches and an estimated 750,000 visitors expected to descend on the region, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney said the investment could have long-term payoff.
“I just really want to put our best foot forward and show off what we have here between the light rail opening, amazing parks, the great businesses and hotels,” Birney said. “I want us to be the place people want to go after the World Cup to come visit to do all the things you can do in our region.”
According to the proposed budget, more than $748,000 would go toward staffing needed to operate during the World Cup. More than $472,000 would go toward promotional and event costs to “maximize the economic development opportunity.” Other costs include marketing and communications, as well as temporary contractor positions for a program manager and a communications specialist.
In practice, Birney said much of that money will go toward public safety costs like police and fire needed to handle extra people. Money will also go toward street cleanup and park maintenance.
Birney also said the money will go toward helping local businesses that want to host watch parties for games. Although lots of these bars and restaurants already host people for sporting events, the influx of people for the World Cup could mean extra support is needed.
As for what specifically these businesses could use, Birney said those talks are still early on, but she hopes the support would translate to long-term improvements that would last after the World Cup.
As for why Redmond would be a hotspot when the actual games are at Lumen Field, Birney noted the Eastside light rail extension should be done by then. Nearby Marymoor Park, meanwhile, has multiple soccer fields, making Redmond something of a local soccer destination.
“We actually have quite a few hotels that we’re pretty certain will be filled with people visiting for the World Cup,” Birney said.
Earlier this month, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and SeattleFWC26, the organizing committee for Seattle’s World Cup bid, announced the Seattle Center will serve as an official fan celebration hub for the tournament. SeattleFWC26 is launching nine other hubs across Washington to be named in the coming months.
Birney said Redmond has been in contact with SeattleFWC26 to talk about hosting a hub, but it’s her understanding the other hubs will be outside of King County.
Lumen Field will also host six matches for the 2025 Club World Cup, a precursor to the World Cup that features club or franchise teams rather than national teams.
The World Cup is regarded as the single biggest sporting event in the world. The 2022 World Cup final had almost 1.5 billion viewers, according to FIFA. By comparison, this year’s Super Bowl drew 123.4 million viewers, according to the NFL.
Redmond’s proposed budget includes $1.22 billion in revenue and that same amount in expenditures. It needs to be approved by the Redmond City Council, which begins deliberations Oct. 22. Birney said the goal is to pass the budget by Nov. 21.
“I have been letting them know that we would be making investments for the World Cup,” Birney said. “I have not been shy about it. I’m a huge soccer fan.”
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