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by Denise Whitaker, KOMO News Reporter
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SEATTLE — Seattle may be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 26, but it’s not taking the spotlight alone.
Seattle is one of 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico that will be hosting various matches throughout the tournament from mid-June through early July 2026.
The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) announced nine cities across the state of Washington that will be hosting fan zones for locals and visitors alike.
“The World Cup is already an event that draws billions of viewers, and this will be the largest version of the World Cup ever to take place,” Leo Floor, the Chief Legacy Officer for Seattle FWC 26, said.
Visit Seattle just published an economic impact study that estimates a total economic benefit just to our region of more than $920 million from hosting this tournament in 2026.
Seattle may be the only Washington city to host matches, but Seattle FWC 26 said their mission is to host the world's largest tournament and sporting event in a way that creates benefits and lasting impact for communities throughout the state, giving them an opportunity to show the world the best of Washington in a way that creates benefit and lasting impact for our community for decades after the tournament.
In addition to a Seattle fan zone at Seattle Center, Bellingham, Everett, Bremerton, Tacoma, Olympia / North Lacey, Yakima, the Tri-Cities of Pasco, Richland and Kennewick, Spokane, and Vancouver will all host fan zones.
“We're all in,” Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said during the announcement Tuesday morning at Lumen Field.
She stressed that these fan zones will give them a great opportunity to showcase and involve as many small businesses and artists as they can in Vancouver, Washington. The cities chosen are not just down I-5 from Bellingham to Vancouver, but also west to Bremerton and all the way east to Spokane.
“You know that these are all about soccer fans, but it's also about all of the small businesses that will be involved in this. Not just the vendors at the different sites, but think about all the artists who you can involve in this process,” Mayor McEnerny-Ogle said.
"Bellingham is ready to get in the game for FIFA World Cup 2026! From waterfront watch parties to showcasing our unrivaled recreation opportunities, we can't wait to show off the best of the Pacific Northwest. We are harnessing our uniquely Bellingham energy to make the Bellingham fan zone an unforgettable experience now, and a legacy for our future,” Mayor Kim Lund said of her city.
KOMO News asked her if the city’s been working to clean up its downtown core, specifically open drug use amongst a homeless population there.
“So, I'm glad that you're giving me the opportunity to speak to that,” Lund responded. “When I took office, my first executive order, six months into the job, was a focus on downtown Bellingham, and so it is in a series of sustaining actions to make our downtown safe and welcoming for all in the community."
Lund also said she’s confident in the team they’re assembling to make the “event unforgettable, safe, welcoming, and inclusive experience for everyone to showcase what Bellingham has to offer."
Each city chosen to be one of these nine fan zones is building on what they already have in place to create unique experiences during FIFA World Cup 26.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown told KOMO News they are planning to expand their "all-in" investment on kids, calling every kid, every day, out to their FIFA 26 Fan Zone. Every kid, every day provides opportunities for kids to play without any screens. That could be sports, exercise, board games, or other non-screen fun.
The city’s also in the competition right now to be chosen as a base camp for one of the teams coming to the region to compete.
Each country’s team will have a list of options to choose, if they want, as their base camp. In addition to Spokane, Renton is also in the running. This is not an either-or situation: both or neither city may be chosen.
“So, we've got our fingers crossed,” Mayor Brown said.
The hope is that fans not just from this region but other countries make the rounds to the different fan zones to see what each has to offer.
