World Cup Resource Hub
Table of Contents
More details will be added to this page as we receive additional information. Check monthly for new updates!
Major Events Schedule
Plan for an additional influx of visitors on and around gameday. FIFA is limiting ticket capacity to 60,000 each match.
Matches at Seattle Stadium
- Monday, June 15 at 12pm: Belgium vs. Egypt
- Friday, June 19 at 12pm: U.S. vs. Australia
- Wednesday, June 23 at 12pm: TBD vs. Qatar
- Friday, June 26 at 8pm: Egypt vs. Iran
- Wednesday, July 1 at 1pm: Playoff Round Match
- Monday, July 6 at 5pm: Playoff Round Match
View this post on Instagram
Pike Place Market Events
Welcoming the World Night Market
Thursday, June 18 from 5 – 9 pm
This event will take place at the north end of Pike Place, including the street, Desimone Bridge and MarketFront Pavilion. The vendor lineup will focus on diverse cuisines and vendors to welcome our international visitors.
An open call for Market vendors to apply to participate will be announced in mid-April!
Soccer Watch Parties
Pending FIFA Approval
The PDA is actively working with FIFA to secure a license to host public watch-party gatherings in three locations around the Market for the major U.S. team games and other events throughout the World Cup series.
Tentative Watch Party Schedule:
-
-
- Friday, June 19 at 12pm: Pike Place Watch Party
- June 12 at 6pm and June 25 at 7pm: MarketFront North Pavilion Watch Parties
- Various dates, streaming during normal operating hours: Economy Atrium Watch Parties
-
Beautification Efforts
The Maintenance, Facilities, and Capital Projects teams have been hard at work on improvements to refresh our buildings and public spaces. Active projects include a cosmetic refresh of the Main Arcade, deep cleaning throughout the Market, and enhancement of our public seating areas. Look for Tenant Alerts to review specific impacts around these projects.
Commercial Business Updates
The Commercial team is enacting later operating hours for the Market to encourage evening visitation. All tenants previously received a Common Area Visual Standards guide with expectations for presenting a cohesive and well-poised storefront. Tenants are asked to be in compliance with these standards no later than April 30. For any questions, contact the Commercial Operations Manager: Michael.Mess@PikePlaceMarket.org
Marketing Activations
The Marketing team is taking the lead on much of the listed event activation planning, communications, targeted advertising, storytelling efforts, and partnership opportunities.
Unity Loop: A notable partnership mention is SeattleFWC26’s mobile app SEA&WIN. The Market will be participating in the Unity Loop’s Heritage Tour as part of this app. There will also be a large neon art installation planned for the MarketFront Deck as a part of this activation starting in June. More details to come!
Next Steps for Businesses
Attend the World Cup Community Forum – Tuesday, April 7, 5:30 – 7pm
All Market businesses and staff are invited to join our upcoming community forum on April 7, taking place in-person at Folio with the option to join virtually on Zoom. PDA Leadership will present in-depth on planning and programming around FIFA World Cup. Presentation topics will include operations, facilities, marketing, events, and public safety planning with a Q&A to follow.
Online RSVPs have closed. Please email Info@PikePlaceMarket.org for further assistance.
Register for PikeALERT
Ensure you are signed up to receive updates on the Market’s emergency messaging system. This is an essential channel for critical communications related to public safety and emergency preparedness. Once you sign up, save the automated messaging number (564) 464-3196 to your contacts under PikeALERT. Please report any registration issues to Info@PikePlaceMarket.org
Share Your Ideas
Do you have ideas related to events planning in the works, marketing promotions, or others you think would be great for elevating the visitor experience during FIFA World Cup? Email Info@PikePlaceMarket.org
View & Download
Visit Seattle Brand Kit
Small Business Readiness Playbook
Watch Party Playbook
Top 10 Things to Know
1. Share & Follow Seattle FWC26
The Seattle FWC Local Organizing Committee’s website is the go-to resource for local activations and information. You may refer customers to their Destination and Events tabs for more details on transit around the stadium, and available activities for fans to participate in. Follow all social channels at @FWC26Seattle.
2. Be Aware of Restricted FIFA Trademarks
Only FIFA rights holders can use logos and certain phrases in their products and print collateral. Trademarked phrases that are restricted from creating and selling merchandise of include: FIFA World Cup, FIFA, World Cup 26, FWC, and FWC 26. Tips recommend the use of compliant, non-trademarked language (“soccer weekend specials,” “big game menu,” “tournament ready”) to attract fans without risking conflict. Graphic restrictions include the following logos, slogans, and wordmarks:
3. Use the Visit Seattle Brand Playbook
Because of the strict guidelines around the above graphics, Visit Seattle has developed a brand kit specific to Seattle to unify marketing promotion of the games across the city. Any local business is welcome to use these branded marks for collateral and merchandise. Review and download it here.
4. Seize Opportunities to Leverage Fan Culture
Per the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, businesses that align their products, menus, or
displays with event themes (bracelets, outfits, souvenirs, themed menu items) saw major spikes in foot traffic and purchasing.
5. Be Aware of Watch Party Guidelines
Businesses can show matches on existing screens as part of normal service, but must apply for a FIFA public viewing license to host a special event or public gathering for a watch party. Watch parties must be officially approved by FIFA. Download the Watch Party Playbook for more information.
6. Consider Operating Hours to Match Visitor Behavior
Retailers and restaurants that extended hours to align with event schedules (late-night foot traffic, pre-event rushes) doubled or tripled evening sales during mega-events recorded in Seattle.
7. Plan Ahead for Delivery & Street Closure Impacts
During high-impact match days, the Market will implement stronger vehicle restrictions on Pike Place to appropriately manage pedestrian traffic and public safety. Consider early coordination with suppliers to alert them of match days as well as surrounding dates and plan deliveries accordingly.
8. Simplified Operations Encourage Sales
Fast-service menus, grab-and-go items, and streamlined mobile ordering allowed restaurants and cafés to move lines quickly and capture peak surges. Ensure your POS system processes quickly and supports tap-to-pay options.
9. Prepare Staff for Safety Measures
Large international events bring diverse crowds that can create moments of disorderly conduct and other hostile behavior. The Market’s policy is to de-escalate whenever possible, and we encourage businesses to save the Market Safety & Security team’s number to contact in the event of an escalating incident: (206) 682-2253. In the event of an immediate life-threatening emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.
10. Make a Plan for Business Security
Mega-events bring more people, longer hours, and higher visibility, which also elevates risk. Review how cash and valuables are handled with staff, confirm and retrain on lock-up measures, and make a clear communications plan with staff to know who to contact if an incident occurs.
Upcoming World Cup Communications
Look forward to monthly communications as we approach the World Cup events. Watch for Tenant Alerts related to these upcoming releases. We will also share communications with Marketmasters and Commercial Property Managers to ensure these opportunities are distributed to all businesses and staff.
April 7: Market Community Forum: “Welcoming the World”
PDA Leadership will host a hybrid in-person and virtual forum to present on World Cup-related topics, including operations, marketing, events, and public safety planning, with a Q&A to follow. Register by April 3 to attend!
Mid-April: Call for Night Market Participation
An open call will be sent out seeking participants for the Welcoming the World Night Market happening on Thursday, June 18, with more event details to come.
Late April: Business Readiness Roll-Out
Updates will be shared around street management plans, travel estimates, foot traffic data, event reminders and details, and more critical preparedness information.