Local Officials Share Transit Aspirations for World Cup
At a media event Wednesday, local leaders plugged expanded transit options for Seattle's World Cup matches this summer and shared their goal for 80% of fans to arrive without a personal vehicle. Transit is expected to carry a heavy load, and officials touted the immense transit options available near Lumen Field, which will be referred to Seattle Stadium for FIFA purposes.
Seattle Stadium will host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, which are scheduled for June 15, June 19, June 24, June 26, July 1 and July 6. Organizers have announced four official Seattle fan celebration sites at Pacific Place, Seattle Center, Victory Hall, and Waterfront Park and expect hundreds of thousands of fans to visit the region to attend matches and associated events throughout the region.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson noted hosting these international games was a huge chance for Seattle to show off its improving network of transit and bike and pedestrian facilities, hinting they could treat it as a springboard toward further upgrades and collaboration across agencies.
"This tournament is a huge opportunity for Seattle, and I think it's also a chance to show people what kind of city we want to be moving forward," Wilson said. "A city where transit is easy to use, where walking and biking feel safe and connected, where you can move between neighborhoods without needing to drive everywhere, where public transportation is not a backup plan, but the first choice, because it is the easiest option. That matters to me personally, and I think this summer gives us a chance to show what's possible when the whole regional transportation system is working together, because we are not preparing for this alone."
https://www.theurbanist.org/local-officials-share-transit-aspirations-for-world-cup/