SEATTLE — The Emerald City is embracing its World Cup moment while displaying its appeal to FIFA as an international destination.
Almost four years to the day after it was announced Seattle would serve as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup, the city played host to its first game on Monday. Belgium and Egypt fans enjoyed a perfect Chamber of Commerce day ahead of their Group G clash.
With temperatures expected to break records and reach the low 90s, fans from both sides flocked downtown hours ahead of the noon PST match. Local bars and restaurants had lines out the door by 10 a.m., noise makers could be heard throughout the streets of Pioneer Square and all around Lumen Field — which has been transformed in name to Seattle Stadium for FIFA’s crown jewel event.
Intrigued fans from Belgium and Egypt took selfies in front of the statue of Ken Griffey Jr. in front of T-Mobile Park, home of baseball’s Seattle Mariners, and with signs celebrating the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
The buzz was palpable, but also extremely respectful as visitors checked out the rows of food trucks and made their way past the evangelists with loud speakers who have become a polarizing local presence in Seattle’s stadium district. Although the evangelists were largely being ignored just like they are at a mid-day Mariners game, for a local resident who is rooting for his city to put its best collective foot forward, there was a slight discomfort to the blaring religious messages directed toward Egypt followers specifically.
The fervor inside the stadium was a bit more muted leading up to the start of the match. The only line was the one for the World Cup merchandise store, which wrapped several hundred people deep. But there were virtually no lines clamoring for the $18 domestic beers or $20 chicken strips throughout the stadium.
Following reports of thousands of empty seats at some World Cup locations, the opening match in Seattle was very well attended. A boisterous crowd welcomed Belgium as they took to the pitch for warmups, and by match time, very few seats had yet to be filled.
It’s a vital test run for Seattle Stadium, which will play host to the U.S. men’s national team’s second group-stage game on Friday against Australia. Thus far, it appears the city has taken advantage of its four years of prep time.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
