Seattle leaders are using the Seahawks’ championship celebrations to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
SEATTLE — Downtown Seattle was filled with cheering fans as the Seahawks’ championship parade and trophy ceremony drew tens of thousands to Lumen Field on Wednesday. While fans celebrated, city and event leaders were already looking ahead, using the event to test systems and coordination for future large-scale events, including this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Beth Knox, president and CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission, said the parade offered key lessons.
“In comparison to the 2014 Super Bowl victory parade, when we didn’t have bicycle barricades along the route, that actually slowed the parade down because there was a sea of people, and it wasn’t safe,” she said. “Putting bicycle barricades along the parade route this year helped keep fans safe and allowed the parade to keep moving, so fans didn’t have to wait as long to see their heroes with the team. That was one great improvement.”
Planning involved multiple agencies, including the Seahawks, Seafair, and departments like the King County Sheriff’s Office, Amtrak, Metro, and Sound Transit.
The event also provided a test run for World Cup preparations, Knox said. Collaboration with the Seattle Police Department enabled agencies to practice coordination, communication, and traffic management.
“It makes it so much easier when you are executing on a World Cup, because relationships have been developed, systems are now in place, and understanding where there might be traffic congestion or a better traffic flow,” she said. “Once you see it in action, then you can apply it to the next event.”
About 50,000 fans attended the trophy ceremony at Lumen Field, and hotels were at capacity the night before the parade.
Knox noted that community partnerships were crucial. Organizations such as Friends of the Waterfront, the Downtown Seattle Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Seattle provided consistent information and support for event activations. Local businesses, especially restaurants and hotels, also benefited from the influx of visitors.
The Sports Commission will host the “Region Ready Summit” on February 23, bringing together community groups, businesses, tourism and hospitality organizations, sports entities, and local government to review best practices. Speakers from Vancouver, B.C., will share experiences from previous World Cups and major events.
“People around the world get to see the incredible joy, unity, and inclusiveness that make up our region,” Knox said. “Those are our core values, and it really reminds the rest of the world what an amazing place Seattle is.”
- June 15, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. PT: Belgium vs. Egypt (Group G)
- June 19, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. PT: United States vs. Australia (Group D)
- June 24, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. PT: Qatar vs. Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina* (Group B)
- June 26, 2026 — 8:00 p.m. PT: Egypt vs. Iran (Group G)
- July 1, 2026 — 1:00 p.m. PT: Round of 32 match
- July 6, 2026 — 5:00 p.m. PT: Round of 16 match
The World Cup’s knockout rounds will also make a stop in the Emerald City. A Round of 32 match is locked in for July 1 at 1 p.m. PT, followed by a Round of 16 contest on July 6 at 5 p.m. PT.
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