The Seattle Sounders Alliance Council recently had the honor of sitting down for a roundtable discussion with Peter Tomozawa, Chief Executive Officer of Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, to hear first-hand how our city is preparing to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
From Lumen Field to the new waterfront, Seattle is aiming to deliver a world-class fan experience rooted in local culture, accessibility, and sustainability. Here are the highlights every Seattle soccer fan should know.
Strategic Pillars for Seattle 2026
Seattle’s vision for the 2026 FIFA World Cup focuses on three core pillars:
- Human Rights – Ensuring inclusivity, equality, and safe spaces for all fans and participants.
- Accessibility – Creating a fan-friendly experience for residents, visitors, and supporters of all abilities.
- Sustainability – Minimizing environmental impact while maximizing positive legacy for the community.
The “Unity Loop” Fan Experience
One of the centerpiece features of Seattle’s World Cup festivities will be the Unity Loop, a pedestrian-friendly pathway linking some of the city’s most iconic locations.
The loop will start at Lumen Field, extend through the Seattle waterfront, Seattle Center, Westlake, and the Chinatown-International District, before returning to Lumen. Along the way, visitors will enjoy public art installations, cultural landmarks, and 15–20 selfie stations designed for sharable moments on social media.
Public Art Installations
Seattle is already bringing the vision to life with new murals downtown:
- United Currents by Seattle artist Leo Shallat at Spring Street & 5th Avenue.
- United by Nature by internationally recognized street artist INO, covering 17 stories at 1306 Western Avenue.
These works mark the start of a larger plan to showcase Seattle’s vibrant art scene to both local fans and global visitors.
Key Dates & Initiatives for Fans
- Fall 2025 – World Cup ticket strips go on sale.
- December 5, 2025 – Official FIFA World Cup match draw.
- Spring 2026 – Launch of a FIFA World Cup mobile app (inspired by Pokémon GO) with interactive challenges and prizes.
- 100 Days Out – City celebration featuring the unveiling of a permanent statue by a Seattle artist.
- Volunteer Program – Apply now to join FIFA’s official volunteer team.
Stadium & Field Preparations
Once the NFL season ends, Lumen Field will replace its artificial turf with natural grass, currently expected in February 2026. This will give fans, and players, a grass pitch experience for World Cup matches. The Seattle Sounders are expected to begin their 2026 MLS season on the new grass field.
MLS Season Pause for the World Cup
Major League Soccer has confirmed it will pause league play during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This ensures full player availability for national teams and an undistracted fan atmosphere across North America.
Sounders FC Alliance Council 