Seattle, Washington
World Cup 2026
Seattle
Six matches at Lumen Field — including the USMNT on June 19.
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Overview
Seattle is one of 16 host cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and one of only 11 US cities selected. As part of the Western Region alongside Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, Lumen Field will host six matches from June 15 through July 6.
For Seattle, it's a rare chance to host a global sporting event of this scale. Lumen Field will be converted from artificial turf to natural grass — the first time in its history — and the stadium's location in SODO puts it within easy reach of downtown hotels, light rail, and the ferry terminal.
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Seattle Match Schedule
Seattle hosts six matches across three weeks. Exact kick-off times have not yet been announced for all games. Specific teams for knockout round matches are determined by group stage results.
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June 15
Opening match at Lumen Field.
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June 19
United States Men's National Team — the most in-demand game of the six.
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June 24
Third group stage match at Lumen Field.
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June 26
Fourth and final group stage match.
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July 1
First knockout round — matchup set by group stage results.
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July 6
Second knockout round — final Seattle match of the tournament.
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Lumen Field
Venue
Lumen Field — 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Capacity
~72,000 for the World Cup (expanded from regular capacity)
Surface
Natural grass — installed specifically for the World Cup. First time Lumen Field has used natural turf.
Location
SODO (South of Downtown Seattle) — 1.5 miles from Pike Place Market, 2 blocks from SODO light rail station.
History
Opened 2002. Home to the Seattle Sounders (MLS) and Seattle Seahawks (NFL). Designed with World Cup hosting in mind from the beginning.
Tournament
Western Region host city alongside Los Angeles, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Vancouver.
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Getting to Lumen Field
Link Light Rail — SODO Station
The easiest option. SODO Station on the 1 Line is two blocks from the stadium. From downtown, trains run frequently from Westlake, University Street, and Pioneer Square stations — a 5-10 minute ride. Expect packed trains immediately after the final whistle.
Washington State Ferry
Colman Dock at Pier 50 is about half a mile north of the stadium — walkable along 1st Avenue South. A solid option if you're arriving from Bainbridge Island or the Kitsap Peninsula, and a scenic way to approach the city before a match.
Bus
Multiple King County Metro routes serve SODO and drop near the stadium along 1st Ave S. Special game-day service is typically added for Sounders matches and is expected to be expanded for World Cup. Check Metro trip planner before you go.
Rideshare
Convenient but expect heavy surge pricing on match days. Drop-off and pick-up zones will be designated — confirm locations in advance. Post-game waits can stretch 20-40 minutes. Walking a few blocks from the stadium before requesting a ride can reduce wait times.
Parking
Several garages and private lots sit within a 10-minute walk of the stadium. Prices will be $50 or higher for World Cup matches. Cheaper lots exist farther south in SODO. Pre-purchasing a parking spot online is strongly recommended.
Walking from Downtown
Lumen Field is about 1.5 miles from Pike Place Market — a 25-30 minute walk south along 1st Ave through Pioneer Square. Straightforward on a nice summer day, and a good way to absorb the pre-game atmosphere building in the streets.
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Where to Stay
Seattle sees about 18 million overnight visitors per year and has substantial hotel inventory — but World Cup match dates will sell out well in advance. Book as early as possible. Hotels near the stadium were receiving inquiries before match dates were even announced.
Downtown & Pioneer Square
The closest hotels to the stadium are in Pioneer Square and lower downtown. These will book out earliest and command the highest premiums on match dates. If this is your preference, book immediately — some properties were fielding inquiries before match dates were released.
Belltown & South Lake Union
Just north of downtown, Belltown and South Lake Union have a range of hotels at various price points. Both neighborhoods are well served by the light rail and within easy reach of the stadium. Generally slightly cheaper than Pioneer Square on event nights.
Neighborhoods
Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Queen Anne all have hotel options and are well connected by transit. These areas also have better restaurant and bar scenes than downtown — worth considering if you want more local character around your stay.
Short-Term Rentals
Airbnb and VRBO are popular for groups and families who want kitchen access. Seattle caps short-term rental licenses for investors, but individual homeowners can still list — availability exists city-wide. Book well in advance; inventory will tighten significantly as the tournament approaches.
Eastside (Bellevue & Redmond)
The East Link light rail extension connects Bellevue and Redmond to downtown Seattle and SODO. If central Seattle hotels are sold out, the Eastside offers solid alternatives with a straightforward train commute to the stadium.
Outlying Cities
Renton, SeaTac, Kirkland, and Bothell all have hotel inventory and highway or light rail access to Seattle. SeaTac in particular is convenient if you're arriving and departing by air and want to minimize connections. Expect longer commutes on game days with traffic.
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Planning Tips
June and July are the driest, sunniest months in Seattle. Average highs in the low-to-mid 70s with low humidity and long daylight hours. Evening games cool down quickly — bring a layer.
Tickets are sold through FIFA's official system via lottery and request. Third-party resale will be significant, with knockout round prices substantially higher than group stage. Buy official if you can.
Occidental Square, directly adjacent to the south entrance of Lumen Field, is the traditional Sounders pre-match gathering point. Expect it to be the center of World Cup pre-game activity in Seattle.
Lumen Field will have natural grass installed for the World Cup — the first time in its history. The stadium was built with underground drainage infrastructure to support a grass field, so the conversion has been planned for.
With six matches spread across three weeks in June and July, consider basing yourself in Seattle for the tournament rather than flying in and out for individual games. Multi-game stays will be more economical.
Use days between matches to get out of the city. Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, and the San Juan Islands are all within a few hours of Seattle and make for exceptional day trips or overnight extensions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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More Seattle Guides
More ways to explore Seattle before and after the matches.
