Super Bowl parade generated $16.6M for Seattle businesses

Consuming a beer and a hot dog smothered in cream cheese at 11 a.m. isn't common - unless, of course, it was done during the Seahawks' Super Bowl parade in downtown Seattle on Feb. 11.

The exceptional celebration generated an estimated $16.6 million for downtown's restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retail and other businesses, according to the Downtown Seattle Association.

That day, hundreds of thousands of people packed sidewalks from Lumen Field up to Denny Way. Many wore newly purchased Seahawks merchandise and incessantly waved green and blue flags.

Some waited on the streets for hours on the unusually sunny day. And, as it turns out, pushing through swarms of people and climbing the infrastructure is thirsty work. Attendees flocked in and out of nearby shops for quick bites and refreshments.

The city's hot dog vendors selling "Seattle dogs," with cream cheese and grilled onions, broke a sweat while trying to simultaneously manage handfuls of cash and turn sausages on their grills.

Restaurants were packed with people desperate for sustenance both during and after the parade.

"Downtown is where Seattleites gather to celebrate historic moments and the 12s certainly delivered on February 11," association spokesperson Chris Copacino said in an emailed statement.

Seattle is about to do it all over again - this time, with a different kind of football. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to visit downtown for Seattle's six 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup matches between June 15 and July 6.

"The power of people coming together in the heart of the city is impressive and it should be a taste of what's to come when we welcome people from all over the world in a couple of months," Copacino said.

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 9:38 AM.