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: Bosnia-Herzegovina 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 – 10pm
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.
Soccer Watch Parties
The PDA has secured licenses from FIFA to host public watch-party gatherings in three locations around the Market for major U.S. team games and other events throughout the World Cup series.
Watch Party Schedule:
-
-
- Friday, June 19 at 12pm: Pike Place Watch Party
- June 25 at 7pm: MarketFront North Pavilion Watch Party
- Various dates, streaming during normal operating hours: Economy Atrium Watch Parties
-
Sip & Savor Program
June 5 – September 6
Every Friday – Sunday 12 – 5pm
Led by 20+ participating Market businesses with the support of the PDA, this new seasonal pilot program allows guests to purchase alcohol beverages from licensed vendors and enjoy them in designated outdoor areas of the Market, primarily centered on outdoor public seating. Service hours will be every Fri – Sun, 12 – 5 pm, with the exception of the Welcoming the World Night Market on June 18. During this special event, service hours will be 5 – 10pm.
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!
Street Access
Through Labor Day weekend, the Market will enter into weekly full closures of the street on weekends, Friday – Sunday between the hours of 12pm – 5pm, with soft closures beginning at 10am daily most weeks. The street will remain always open before 10am and after 5pm to both public and commercial traffic. See full details below.
Street Management Guide (6)
What are the modes of operation?
There are three modes of operation when it comes to street management on Pike Place during peak season. These modes will be in place through Labor Day weekend ending on Sept. 6.
- Fully Open
- Soft Closure
- Full Closure
When is the street fully open for public use?
The street is open to regular visitor traffic every day before 10am and after 5pm.
What is a Soft Closure?
Soft Closure indicates only authorized vehicles may enter.
- Authorized vehicles: business deliveries, commercial loading, ADA vehicles, pre-arranged customer pickups, emergency vehicles
- When: Most weekdays from Memorial Day – Labor Day, 10am – 4pm. Weekends from 10am – 12pm (before full closure hours)
- During this time, there will be staff-managed access at the 1st Ave & Pike St entry point
What is a Full Closure?
Full Closure indicates that no vehicles may enter, whether public or commercial, exempting emergency response vehicles.
- When: Friday – Sunday, 12 pm – 5pm
- Additional Planned Dates: World Cup Matches on Weekdays – June 15, June 24, July 1, July 6
- Additional security enhancement barriers in place during this time
Alternative Delivery Service Options
Off-Pike Deliveries
The PDA has partnered with Seattle Messenger Cooperative to offer hand-delivery or will-call of small-to-mid-size parcels, 7 days per week. This service is available to all historic district merchants at no cost.
- Service Dates
- May 17 – September 13
- Deliveries available 7 days a week, 8am – 5pm
- Services
- Parcel Intercept
- Direct Delivery to Business
- Will Call Pick-Up
- No pallet or very large deliveries
- Location
- The distribution center will operate out of the former JarrBar space at 1432 Western Ave
- Merchants may also pick up parcels directly from Seattle Messenger Cooperative at 1522 Western Ave
To register or learn more, email SMC@SeaMessCo.com
Emergency Repair/Delivery Access Options
In the event of emergency repairs needed for your business during full closure hours:
-
- If the repair technician’s vehicle must be physically close to your store: Contact Market Security to coordinate an escort into the Market and along Pike Place. Market Public Safety & Security: (206) 682-2253
- If the repair technician’s vehicle is not needed close to your store: Contact Market Parking to coordinate accommodation in oversized parking in the Market garage. The Parking team will reserve space for these instances during all full closures. Parking Team: (206) 399-6564
If you need assistance coordinating a freight delivery during full closure: Call the Parking team. The PDA can accommodate occasional freight deliveries at 1st and Pike in front of the planters and barriers. Deliveries can also be made at Pine and Stewart on the east side of the planters and barriers.
Next Steps for Businesses
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 Content Ideas
Do you have new product specials, experiences, menus, or other special plans to elevate the visitor experience during FIFA World Cup? Email Marketing@PikePlaceMarket.org so we can help promote it!
Resources
Review and download resources posted by our local partners to prepare your business. We’ve also created a shortlist of the top 10 essential tips and guidelines compiled from these below!
World Cup Community Forum: Zoom Recording
On April 7, we convened Market businesses and staff for a community forum on World Cup preparations. PDA Leadership presented in-depth on planning and programming, including operations, facilities, marketing, events, and public safety planning. View the recording below.
View & Download
Visit Seattle Brand Kit
Small Business Readiness Playbook
Watch Party Playbook
Welcoming the World Forum
Hospitality Playbook
PDA Public Safety Tips
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.