A Peek Behind the Pitch: Washington Local Governments Prepare for the World Cup™

Editor's Note:This blog has been updated to state that Renton is a potential Team Base Camp and that such sites will not be officially chosen until March 2026. 

Public agencies in Washington are undertaking a multi-faceted preparation strategy for the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM, which comes to Seattle this summer. These efforts aim not just to support the 750,000 people expected to visit the state during the tournament, but also to leave a lasting legacy of enhanced public facilities and community engagement.

From fan zones and cultural celebrations to new public spaces and business engagement efforts, the World Cup ^TM is already sparking creativity and collaboration across the state. This blog will take a peek at how planning is going in a few locations.

What’s the Big Deal Anyway?

Like the Olympic Games, the World Cup ^TM is held every four years, usually with a single country playing host. New this year, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are hosting simultaneously, with 48 men’s soccer teams competing in 104 total matches.

Six matches will take place at Seattle’s Lumen Field:

• June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt
• June 19: U.S. vs. Australia
• June 24: Qatar vs. the European play-off winner 
• June 26: Egypt vs. Iran
• July 1 and July 6 matches to be determined

This is only the second time the U.S. has hosted the tournament, with the last being over three decades ago (1994), and that tournament broke records for total attendance.

Official Team Base Camp

In a sport that brings in people from across the globe, a Team Base Camp serves as a centralized hub for a visiting team. Teams typically stay for multiple weeks, living, working, and training onsite, leaving only to compete in matches. Fans often follow teams to base camps, lodging nearby and creating “mini fan hubs,” which can generate revenue for local vendors and possible media exposure for the host city.

Lying a little over 12 miles south of Seattle, Renton is one of two cities in Washington in the running to serve as a base camp. It has already hosted two international teams, CA River Plate of Argentina and FC Internazionale Milano of Milan in early 2025 as they competed locally in matches meant to build momentum for the 2026 tournament. 

The city has partnered with the Renton Chamber of Commerce to offer a series of roundtables covering city plans—including public parties—and showcasing opportunities for businesses to get involved. The online Renton 2026, Ready to Play Hub covers permitting and licensing, FIFA branding guidelines, and city-based resources businesses can use (small business liaison, permitting concierge).

Building on World Cup ^TM excitement, Renton is turning a vacant lot into Legacy Square. Once completed, the downtown square will feature a futsal court, play structures, a dedicated stage with seating, and areas to accommodate vendors. Renton will likely host watch parties at Legacy Square, but sees the facility as a long-term investment in bringing live entertainment, public art, and cultural activities to the city.

Team Base Camp locations are expected to be announced in March.

Fan Zones

A Fan Zone must meet certain standards established by FIFA.  Each is expected to offer:

• A giant match screen with full sound
• Live entertainment and performances
• Family-friendly activities (e.g., soccer skill zones)
• Local food and beverage vendors
• Sponsor booths and interactive brand installations
• Accessible layouts

There are nine dedicated fan zones across Washington—Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Olympia/Lacey, Tri‑Cities, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. Each is coordinating with the Seattle World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26), but tailoring activities to meet local needs and interests.

Below are how a few fan zone locations are preparing.

Spokane

Spokane is both a fan zone and in the running to host a Team Base Camp.

Alex Scott, Spokane City Administrator, spoke about fan zones during AWC’s recent webinar on temporary expanded alcohol services. Spokane is planning to offer a minimum of two public zones in the downtown core; one at Riverfront Park—which has the existing infrastructure and capacity to host large events—and a second site to be determined.

The city plans to host at least two large watch parties in the downtown core, but it is also looking to build a robust network of neighborhood-based activities. To encourage their development, the city is:

• Applying for a broad expanded alcohol service area that will encompass several city neighborhoods;
• Identifying high-traffic blocks (with existing access to food and drinking establishments) that could be temporarily converted to pedestrian-only areas for fan activities;
• Identifying privately owned locations (such as a shared parking lot between two businesses) where smaller parties could take place; and
• Developing a Summer of Soccer toolkit in partnership with the Spokane Sports and Visit Spokane (which will include focused branding vendors can use citywide to promote a cohesive feel for visitors moving between different neighborhoods).

Additionally, the Sounders and Seattle Reign will hold several upcoming matches at 1 Spokane Stadium this spring. Organizers will use these games to generate excitement for the tournament and for local fan zone plans.

Gonzaga University would serve as a Team Base Camp if Spokane were chosen to host one. City officials are working with partners to develop enhanced security measures, secure housing, plan out transportation logistics, and make upgrades to training facilities. 

Bremerton

The recently revamped Quincy Square will serve as the central location for the Bremerton Fan Zone. It will be activated on June 12, with a U.S. vs. Paraguay watch party, followed by five additional watch parties up to the June 26 match between Egypt and Iran.

The city has been working in coordination with Downtown Bremerton Association, which also lobbied the city for a 60-day temporary occupancy permit to allow vendors to operate downtown during the World Cup ^TM.

StayKitsap26 and Love Kitsap  are contributing to the effort with marketing campaigns aimed at bringing visitors to the peninsula and promoting fan zone activities.

Tri-Cities

Soccer is big in the Tri-Cities, both from a cultural perspective and as a revenue generator (sports-related tourism). While the location of the Tri-Cities Fan Zone has not yet been publicly identified, Pasco will likely host it.

Councilmermbers and City of Pasco staff discussed the topic during a May 27, 2025 workshop meeting, with the focus on organizing watch parties for Seattle-based matches. City staff were directed to move forward with plans but also to seek ways to offset projected costs (an estimated $150,000 per watch party). Since that time, staff have been analyzing costs, engaging partners, and seeking funding through various avenues—including local lodging tax funds—with further updates expected as planning progresses.

World Cup ^TM connections could solidify the city’s status as a hot spot for soccer. It recently opened the A Street Sports Complex, which boasts three new soccer fields and futsal courts, in response to the growing need for facilities capable of hosting sports tournaments.

Bellingham

Bellingham will likely be impacted by matches in Seattle and in Vancouver, British Columbia. The city originally planned to host several large watch parties on the waterfront but had to readjust expectations when a budget deficit made those plans unfeasible.

Using funding from lodging tax proceeds, Bellingham pivoted to offer a Fan Zone grant program that sought local proposals for:

• Community-based watch parties,
• Fan zone venues,
• Downtown business improvement and readiness projects, and
• Family-friendly soccer-themed activities.

The city recently announced awardees. Two locations will host public watch parties of Seattle-based matches; one on the waterfront and the other in the downtown district. Additionally, 15 local business were selected as fan zone venues and 8 organizations will host family-friendly soccer-themed events, such as futsal tournaments, kayak soccer, and Free Fan Zone Fridays at the Whatcom Museum.

How About the Others? 

Several cities that are not official fan zones or team base camp locations are still taking advantage of the special opportunity the once-in-a-lifetime tournament brings, including Federal Way and Redmond.

Federal Way

The city and the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center are teaming up for Kickin’ It Federal Way 2026, a three-day festival that will take place in June. The event, which is funded by a Port of Seattle grant, begins with a June 19 watch party of the U.S. vs. Australia match, and includes family-focused games, carnival rides, soccer tournaments and clinics, food vendors, and a beer garden.

Redmond

The city’s multifaceted Redmond is Ready for the World campaign focuses on building community and supporting local businesses.

Redmond is offering regular, dedicated World Cup Activation office hours with the city’s economic development staff; World Cup Information and Strategy Sessions (such as a recent one covering updates to the short-term rental code); the Fútbol for All Speaker Series; and a World Cup Watch Party Grant Program, which will help nonprofits, community groups, and businesses offer neighborhood-based watch parties.

A free July 19 party at Marymoor Park will bring the community together to celebrate the culmination of the World Cup^TM, while the Soccer Stories campaign—in which members of the public can submit personal accounts about what soccer and Redmond mean to them—will build online connections.

Conclusion

As summer approaches, communities across the state are working hard to ensure the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is more than a series of matches—it’s an opportunity to showcase local pride, strengthen community ties, and invest in lasting improvements. While the matches may come and go, the momentum and legacy built through these preparations are poised to benefit cities and counties long after the final whistle blows.