World Cup takes over Seattle

Seattle welcomed the world on Monday during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

The first of six matches held in Seattle was played between Belgium and Egypt, with both teams bringing passionate fans with them.

The match started at 12 p.m. Monday and finished with a 1-1 draw, giving both squads one point in the group stage. After each goal, the eruption of noise from the crowd could be heard multiple blocks away from the stadium.

Although the stadium was where the action took place, watch parties were held throughout Seattle for fans to enjoy.

Four free locations for fans to visit are Victory Hall, Pacific Place, and Piers 58 and 62.

These locations offer large screens, food and beverages for all ages. Certain locations have beer gardens for those age 21 and older. If fans were away from a screen, they could still look to the Space Needle. For every match hosted in Seattle, drones will be flown around the building to display the score in the sky.

To accommodate the high attendance in the city, public transportation is the most recommended option by city officials. Multiple train, bus and car routes are available on the WSDOT website with recommended travel options.

Along with accessible transportation methods, Seattle also has seven new water refill stations throughout downtown.

The next match in Seattle is a big one, as the United States takes on Australia at noon Friday, June 19.

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 12:18 PM.