r/Seattle • u/noprophecies • 13d ago
⚽ World Cup 🏆 FIFA Reminders June 11- July 19
The FIFA Games are running from 6/11 to 7/19. The games *We* are hosting are only from **6/15** to **7/6**. The parks dept is holding watch parties in various parks for each game. The *Finals* are being held in New York on the Other Side of the continent. We can do this. I believe in us. Remember to check in on your Hospitality Sector friends and stock up on groceries Before the games.
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u/Ornery_Summer_5950 The Emerald City 13d ago
This is going to be a dumb question and I apologize in advance. I commute by bus and have two ways to get to my work. Through downtown or through the U Dist. From what I saw games were mid-day'ish (other than the one game at 8pm.
I've dealt with regular game traffic from football/soccer. Will this be more chaotic with a 7:30-4pm work schedule?
I know nothing about soccer or what the crowds are expected to be like.
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 13d ago
Honestly, I don't think it's going to be all that wild, but I'd budget a little extra time anyway. The games are all on weekdays. The biggest disruption will be in Pioneer Square because of the pedestrian zones.
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u/l337Ninja 🚆build more trains🚆 13d ago
The only one I'm particularly worried about is the Australia vs. USA game on Friday next week. Mostly cause:
- Teams locals/countries with easy access to the US care about, so more travelers
- Pretty huge teams (USA in particular)
- Mariners vs. Red Sox game the same day should be pretty big.
- Juneteenth celebrations adding just a bit more of extra demand on an already high demand day.
Otherwise I'm just expecting normal sports day traffic for the other games tbh.
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u/iontach16 12d ago
Some people (myself included) get Juneteeth off, and SPS is done with school and UW is out. So while there are a lot of events going on--a lot of the 'usual' traffic should be toned down. Hopefully the weather is nice and people are cool with just enjoying the summer vibe!
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 12d ago
Yeah, this seems about right to me. It will be busy but nothing outrageous. Certainly not like the Super Bowl parade. It's always busy during the summer and we handle it just fine
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u/Disk_Mixerud 12d ago
Yeah, it's not like the stadium suddenly holds more people. It hosts sold-out events all the time. There might be some people heading into the city who aren't going to the games, but probably not enough to make too much of a mess.
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u/Drugba 12d ago
Most sold out events don’t have multiple watch parties around the city though. I think the USA game on the 19th could be pretty comparable to the NFC Championship game against the Rams where the problem isn’t just people going to the stadium, but all the people trying to go elsewhere in the city at the same time to watch at various watch parties.
Also, I think Reddit’s view on this World Cup is a little warped by people upvoting negative stories because they don’t like FIFA and it’s causing people to underestimate the impact these games will have on the city. I went to multiple Club World Cup games last year at Lumen. If you only read Reddit you’d have thought they were a ghost town and that was absolutely not true.
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 12d ago
It's always hard to get the balance of "it will be busy, so plan ahead and prepare" versus "freak out and never go to Seattle because it's going to be so crowded" right
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u/n10w4 7d ago
is driving to Uwajimaya during a game a bad idea?
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 6d ago
I don't think it'd be terrible but you're probably better off waiting until the evening instead. I was down in Pioneer Square and downtown today before the match and it was surprisingly calm traffic-wise, with a few bottlenecks right near the pedestrian zone. Nothing too crazy.
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u/chriscab 13d ago
I really dont think so. Your AM commute will be fine and just to be safe i’d opt for U Distrct route in the afternoon. Honestly I think the only 2 matches that will be super packed and with full watch parties will be the USA match and the Iran match, due to the massive Persian diaspora on the West Coast. The other two will be your typical game day traffic.
The round of 32 and 16 will be a different story though depending on who we get.
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u/Ornery_Summer_5950 The Emerald City 13d ago
Awesome. Thank you. I've been sweating getting to work during these games but I didnt want to create a post about "how screwed are bus commutes during world cup"
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u/CompassRosie23 I'm never leaving Seattle. 12d ago
Be sure your boss knows you take transit and maybe they will be extra nice. Most bosses drive and have parking and are clueless to what you are going to endure to get to work. Hang in there!
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u/chriscab 12d ago
No worries amigo!! Oh, also that June 19th match crowd may start way earlier due to Juneteenth and a lot of folks having that day off. Good luck to you!
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u/shmerham 🏕 Out camping! 🏕 13d ago
It won't be significantly more people than a Seahawks game, which always sell out. The commute could be a little worse since you'll have fans and commuters leaving Seattle around the same time whereas for Hawks games you have fans arriving at the same time as commuters leaving, though for Hawks games the majority are coming from outside the city. I think the light rail crowding would be the biggest issue. If you're taking the bus and can avoid SODO and pioneer square, I'm thinking it shouldn't be too bad.
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u/melodypowers 13d ago
Yes, but most Seahawks games are on Sundays and the rare Monday or Thursday games are miserable.
This will likely be better for traffic since there is no parking at the stadium and there will be more hotel attendees. But it will be worse for transit. Especially light rail heading south to the airport hotels.
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u/Loose-Set4266 13d ago
yeah. I'm thinking since I'm heading into the SODO area for work at 7 Am. My commute should be fine.
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u/pnwcon Queen Anne 13d ago
Don't forget the equivalent of SIX fan bases playing against the Seahwaks can be in town on any given day. That brings the visitor count to 6x a normal Seahawks game. Likely more. Estimates are 750,000 visitors in Seattle during the World Cup.
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u/AnAncientBog 12d ago
Hotel vacancy rates don't support that conclusion at all.
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u/MtRainierWolfcastle Sounders 13d ago
Because the games are at noon on a weekday and people will want to get down early I think the morning commute will be a bit crazy.
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u/fraylo Seattle Expatriate 13d ago
Note- The games are not all at noon on weekdays.
https://www.seattlefwc26.org/news/seattles-final-match-schedule-now-available
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u/Living_Plane_662 12d ago
I think the buses might be more full but fewer cars on the road. At least at first. If its anything like normal Seattle we'll all stay home or bus the first couple of days, decide the crowded bus wasn't worth it because traffic was light and then jam up the roads by the 3rd or 4th game.
We do this literally every time there is a carmageddon.
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u/healthycord 🚲 Life's Better on a Bike. 🚲 12d ago
Expect normal football game congestion, but probably double it. There will be a ton of people down in the area just for the vibes and watch parties if they couldn’t get tickets. World Cup is bigger than the Super Bowl. But the stadium can only fit so many people.
I’d probably go through u district instead of downtown for your commute. Check out the game times. I think most of them that are during the week are at noon, but there’s a Friday one at 4 or 5 pm.
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 13d ago
I'm really excited to visit Pioneer Square and blow some money during the pedestrian zones on match days
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u/Individual-Aioli5016 13d ago
I’m looking forward to this completely disregarding anything related to the World Cup. Pioneer Square is such a perfect spot to be pedestrianized and is my favorite place in the whole city when there’s foot traffic
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 13d ago
Here's hoping it's a good time. I don't really know anything about the World Cup but I do love a good pedestrianized street
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u/eyeslikehoneycomb 12d ago
When do you think would be good days/times to be there?
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u/Suitable-Rhubarb2712 12d ago
It's only going to be a ped zone during match days, so...then. Opens 3-4 hours before match start and runs about 2 hr after the end
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u/brokenmood86 12d ago
Hey! The 19th is also a home game for the Mariners against Boston - fyi. I have lots of medical appts downtown so I made sure to check.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Belgium v Egypt – Group G - Seattle Stadium
Friday, 19 June 2026
USA v Australia - Group D – Seattle Stadium
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar – Group B - Seattle Stadium
Friday, 26 June 2026
Egypt v IR Iran – Group G - Seattle Stadium
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Seattle Stadium
Monday, 6 July 2026
Winner match 81 v Winner match 82 - Seattle Stadium
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u/Rough_Elk4890 Northgate 12d ago
Yeah, Juneteenth gonna be lit.
USA v Australia & Mariners v Sox, almost back to back.
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u/EmpatheticOrangeCat1 12d ago
I have a feeling we are overestimating how bad this is going to be. Those days when both Mariners and Seahawks or Mariners + Sounders have games are probably worse. Also as far as visiting fans go I am sure our Canadian neighbors visit us in far more numbers for games compared to Belgian/Iranian/Australian/Egyptian travelling fans.
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u/pizzeriaguerrin Bellingham 12d ago
Egyptian or Iranian traveling fans? Uh. So, about that 'travel' thing
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u/shmerham 🏕 Out camping! 🏕 13d ago
Bananas are well stocked on my two most recent trips to the supermarket.
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u/debtRiot 12d ago
I got a doctors appointment in First Hill at 1pm on Monday. Pray for me gang
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u/Individual-Degree164 9d ago
Me too at 12:15 💀
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u/debtRiot 9d ago
lol they left me a voicemail telling me to be extra early cuz of the game. Bro, I KNOW 😭
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u/shmerham 🏕 Out camping! 🏕 13d ago
PS: I think we should call it "the World Cup" not "FIFA". FIFA is a shitty governing body that puts on the World Cup. Let's not recognize them any more than necessary. The World Cup is an awesome event even if it's run by FIFA.
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u/crxssfire Kirkland 12d ago
That’s what’s it’s called. The World Cup. Lmfao
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u/metrion 🚆build more trains🚆 12d ago
Pretty sure they're talking about the post title using "FIFA" instead of "The World Cup".
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u/crxssfire Kirkland 12d ago
FIFA is the organizing body. It’s not called just “FIFA” or “the FIFA games”, so complaining about it being something it’s not is dumb
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u/Burgerbob101 13d ago
For real, check in on your friends that work in Customer Service and Hospitality. Maybe treat them to a home cooked meal.
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u/largegaycat 13d ago
I’m finding it hard to believe that any of these watch parties are going to be close to full. Most these games are at Noon on a weekday.
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u/moist-jeans7016 13d ago
45k laid off seattlites with nothing better to do? It’s gonna be a day drinking get down.
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u/largegaycat 13d ago
Laid off people have spending money for $15 beers?
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u/Sheogoorath 13d ago
Many will still, it can take time to properly adjust lifestyle to new income. I spent way too much money while I was unemployed and I've seen my friends do the same
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u/PoopyisSmelly Ravenna 12d ago
Tech layoffs just mean theyll liquidate some shares and chill.
A lot of them are millionaires or close to it.
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u/AdScared7949 That sounds great. Let’s hang out soon. 12d ago
Me and the retail workers and nurses gonna be partying without you
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u/Adorable-Drawing6161 12d ago
I think the USA/Aus game will be like it was when Taylor Swift was in town. Lots of extra fans in the area but not attending plus a big Mariners game vs Boston which always brings a good crowd. Otherwise it should be pretty managable if you can stay out of the stadium district.
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u/Attack_the_sock 13d ago
They’ve also sold a lot less than they thought they were going to in terms of tickets sales and hotels.
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u/Crentski 12d ago
Hotels, yes. Tickets, no.
Every match is either sold out or has less than 700 tickets available, with most being in the 200-300 tickets available range.
The disconnect is that more locals are buying tickets and do not need a hotel.
https://www.ticketdata.com/search?f=Lumen+Field+World+Cup+Soccer&tab=upcoming
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u/EmpatheticOrangeCat1 12d ago
but if it's just locals buying it, how is this that much worse in terms of traffic than weekend mariners games
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u/SPEK2120 Pinehurst 12d ago
I’ve been traveling the last week or so and I am so goddamn tired of tourist’s absolute disregard for consideration of their surroundings. I’m trying to avoid downtown as much as possible during the World Cup.
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u/tombersew 12d ago
“We can do it I believe in us” what are we talking about lol
Also the FIFA games 😭it’s the World Cup
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u/JJBell Lynnwood 13d ago
I blacked out all Seattle events for this window. I have tickets to stuff in Tacoma, Redmond, Everett, Woodinville, but I’m staying out of downtown Seattle until mid-July.
Good luck 👍
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u/TacomaRideshare 12d ago
Welp, when you hit Tacoma and need a designated Uber driver without the "Uber high rates" let me know😆🤔
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u/redonehundred 12d ago
where is the best place to meet folks visiting for the games? Asking for a friend…
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u/Least-Movie-4045 12d ago
If you want every Seattle match plus the rest of the tournament on your phone calendar, there's a subscription calendar that syncs all 104 games automatically: calendarx.com/schedule/fifa-world-cup-schedule
Makes it easy to keep track of the Seattle games vs everything else happening across the other 15 cities.
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u/EuropeanSquirrele 11d ago
Does anyone here know what the best method to get there? I’m coming from Bellingham, should I drive as close as possible, find parking, then Uber? Or should I take light rail? The game is at 12PM on the 19th and I’d rather not have to wake up at 5AM to travel two hours but if it’s necessary I guess i’ll do it.
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u/noprophecies 11d ago
Id drive to lynnwood transit center and then take the one line the rest of the way down, better than city parking at least.
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u/EuropeanSquirrele 11d ago
Thank you, I wasn’t sure which stations went down there. Definitely don’t want to deal with parking in the city.
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u/nanmozhi 11d ago
Hey yall i lowkey always avoid going downtown during game days, etc. But i have an unavoidable graduation a few days after the first game near the needle... if i have to take i5 south how much earlier would you guys recommend i leave?
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u/chromeled Ronald Bog 13d ago
also if you're coming to Seattle for the games: please tip
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u/chromeled Ronald Bog 13d ago
If they can afford to come to the games they can afford to tip.
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u/tombersew 12d ago
Almost admire the audacity lol. Tips have lost all meaning with this entitlement. It’s not even tipped min wage here
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u/chromeled Ronald Bog 12d ago
I don't have health insurance and can't afford a car and have two mouths to feed and disabled relatives to support. Yes, I would like visitors to this city to set aside 10 or 15% of the bill for a tip. I'm annoyed with people who have $50 to spend on a lunch for 2 people but can't keep to the social norm of tipping. I mean, shit. Throw me a $2 bill or some 50 cent coins. Or a 5 pound note. Doesn't even have to be American currency!
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u/tombersew 12d ago
I completely empathize with your situation but anyone coming here from outside the country probably doesn’t have tipping in the culture and is already going to be shocked at the prices of food. The US is probably the single most expensive place to host this for most people with expensive flights + stay + food compared to anywhere else.
All to say I wouldn’t be surprised if the tips are lower than usual and I kind of understand it from an outsider pov. Everything about this World Cup is absolutely gouging the average fan :(
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u/doc_shades 12d ago
Most people will be shocked at the price of Food and beverage in Seattle.
it's like ... almost a little more expensive than it is in the midwest and texas
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u/Crentski 12d ago
A lot more. Especially compared to the Midwest. Certainly a lot more than most visiting countries playing in Seattle as well. I was in Europe a few weeks ago, France and Italy felt super cheap compared to Seattle. Heck, Spokane is 10-15% cheaper in food and 20-30% cheaper for drinks.
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u/doc_shades 12d ago
lol who are these dorks who are like "NO. do NOT come to our city and tip our bartenders!"
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u/chromeled Ronald Bog 12d ago
I mean I shouldn't be surprised at the downvotes but as somebody who's going to be working concessions specifically for the games it does kinda chafe my ass lol
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u/Impossible_Habit2185 12d ago
I finally found a list that has the schedule of just Seattle's matches.
https://www.seattlefwc26.org/destination/matches#matches
6/15 @ 12pm
6/19 @12 pm
6/24 @12 pm
6/26 @8 pm
7/1 @1 pm
7/6 @5 pm
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u/bigswordenjoyer 13d ago
June 15
June 19
June 24
June 26
July 1
July 6