The competition will be held locally from June 11 to July 19, with 750,000 people expected to visit Seattle.
SEATTLE — Seattle officials warn residents to be prepared Major traffic changesStreets were blocked off and the transport system was congested as the city prepared to host six FIFA World Cup matches this summer.
An estimated 750,000 people are expected to visit Seattle during the local tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19. Matches during the tournament at Lumen Field (temporarily renamed “Seattle Stadium” during the tournament) include the June 19 match between the United States and Australia and two elimination games in July.
With the event expected to transform downtown Seattle for nearly a month, agencies across the region are now detailing how they plan to transport fans around the city while managing safety and congestion in some of Seattle’s busiest neighborhoods.
match schedule
Seattle’s six World Cup games are scheduled as follows:
- June 15: Belgium vs Egypt
- June 19: USA vs Australia
- June 24: Qatar vs. TBD
- June 26: Egypt vs. Iran
- July 1: Top 32
- July 6: Round of 16
Seattle plans free fan zone
Outside of the game, Seattle organizers are preparing multiple free fan zones across the city.
Public viewing and event spaces are planned at:
- seattle center
- seaside park
- Pacific Place
- Sodor’s Hall of Victory
Plans for Seattle Center include large viewing screens, DJs, cultural programming and family-friendly activities throughout the game.
Transit agencies plan to provide additional services
Much of Seattle’s transportation strategy centers on public transit.
Sound Transit plans to add Link light rail service on game days, with trains on Lines 1 and 2 running every eight minutes until 1 a.m. There are also plans to add Sounder trains and post-game ST Express service, as well as overnight service between downtown Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport starting in March.
King County Metro said it plans to add additional service on multiple routes throughout the game and operate shuttles between Seattle Center and Lumen Field before and after games.
The city also plans to expand transit priority initiatives, including 24/7 bus lanes, upgraded bus stops and new wayfinding signage downtown along corridors such as Aurora Avenue and Rainier Avenue.
Additional West Seattle water taxi flights and seasonal flights Beach shuttle There are plans during the game as well.
Main streets in the city center expected to be closed
Officials strongly encourage fans not to drive.
City planning documents describe three impact zones spanning the Stadium District, downtown Seattle and the broader Puget Sound region. Officials expect greater traffic congestion and a more congested transit system, with large numbers of pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles moving through neighborhoods near the stadium.
The streets around the stadium are expected to begin approximately four hours before kick-off and continue for several hours after the game. Parking restrictions will go into effect in parts of Pioneer Square at 2 a.m. on game day.
The city also plans to convert much of Pioneer Square into a pedestrian zone during games, expanding gathering space around the stadium. Bicycle and scooter traffic entering the area will be slowed to 8 mph.
Seattle leaders have Two new free public restrooms launched in Pioneer SquareIt is part of a wider effort to address long-standing hygiene issues in the city center ahead of the arrival of spectators at next month’s FIFA World Cup.
Operated by a company called Throne and located near Occidental Plaza, the bathrooms are designed to provide public access while limiting vandalism and abuse, challenges that have plagued past public restroom projects in Seattle.
Pike Place Market and waterfront renovations have begun
Similar crowd management strategies have begun to take shape near Pike Place Market, where officials recently installed new Concrete planters and movable barriers designed to restrict vehicle access Organizers expect this to be one of the busiest summers in the market’s history.
Officials said the market will operate with different traffic patterns depending on crowd levels and time of day, with streets regularly closed to vehicles during peak events.
Visitors will also see updated signage, street attendants and additional public seating around the market.
At the same time, the organizers plan to establish a Floating football field and fan viewing area on a barge near Pier 62 as part of a wider seaside fan campaign.
Construction projects will be suspended during the competition
Seattle also plans to temporarily halt construction projects in key public areas during the game.
Construction is on hold from June 8 to July 7, with contractors required to clear city-managed streets and sidewalks of equipment, steel panels and temporary obstructions before games begin.
Officials said the goal is to reduce congestion and keep streets and sidewalks clear during the event.
Security footprint around stadium expected to increase
Organizers are planning around the stadium Temporary safety barriers, expanded emergency exits and increased staffing as part of a wider crowd control strategy.
Planning documents call for nine sets of emergency exit doors on the west side of the stadium, as well as additional crowd control and security staff, operating from four hours before kick-off to three hours after the end of the game.
Former Seattle Police Chief John Diaz said fans should expect to see police officers, private security, volunteers and World Cup ambassadors throughout the stadium area.
The federal government uses Special Event Assessment Ratings (SEAR) to assess risk levels. The rating determines the level of federal support. The World Cup is rated SEAR 2. In comparison, the Super Bowl is rated SEAR 1. Diaz said SEAR 2’s ratings “remain very high,” and those ratings can change and improve.
questionable fare
Ticket resale prices for Seattle games are reportedly dropping.
Ticket prices in Seattle have dropped 26% in the past 30 days, according to pricing data cited by The Seattle Times.
The current lowest ticket price for the June 19 game between the U.S. and Australia is about $906.
At the time of publication, the average admission price for all games was $449, but this was offset by relatively low ticket prices for the Qatar-Bosnia and Herzegovina game on June 24 and the Egypt-Iran game on June 26.
