Published May 4 2026
The games will be played in Seattle, but soccer fans will have plenty of reasons to shout “olé” right here in Bellevue during the World Cup June 11–July 19. With support from the city, local organizations are holding public celebrations by Bellevue’s light rail stations on Seattle game days. A variety of watch parties and other events are happening throughout the city over the 39-day period.
The city is also providing marketing resources and permitting guidance to businesses, organizations and individuals still planning World Cup-related events.
As the state’s second largest hotel market, Bellevue is expected to see a total of 15,000 overnight visitors from around the world during the tournament. The city has contracted the Bellevue Downtown Association, Visit Bellevue Washington, BelRed Arts District and the Spring District Authority to host community-centered programming that will serve Eastside residents, workers and visitors. With additional grants from the city’s Community Programming Fund, other organizations are putting on events that will help cultivate a lively atmosphere during the tournament and beyond.
Station activations will transform transit hubs into community spaces with live music, pop-up art, food trucks and multilingual welcome messaging—celebrating Bellevue’s diversity, improving wayfinding and encouraging pre‑ and postgame activity in our mixed-use neighborhoods.
Organizers of all kinds of World Cup-related events who would like marketing support can submit an event for inclusion on the Visit Bellevue Washington calendar, which will be visible on welcome kiosks in hotel lobbies, translated into five languages.
In addition, regionally coordinated graphics, promotional materials, and planning resources are available to support Bellevue businesses and event organizers.
- Visit Bellevue’s partner portal invites businesses to join its tourism network at no cost, gaining access and increased visibility through marketing campaigns, website listings and social media promotions.
- Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 organizing committee and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce offer a variety of playbooks for organizers of all manner of World Cup-related events.
- Community Business Connector offers businesses free one-on-one advice and resources.