Seattle is one of the most walkable host cities for the World Cup™, making it easy to soak up the excitement on foot.
Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) is centrally located and easy to access. From Seattle Stadium, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Pioneer Square neighborhood and about 15 minutes to downtown hotels. T-Mobile Park, where the Seattle Mariners baseball team plays, is just a little farther along, creating a compact, connected stadium experience that’s easy to navigate and full of atmosphere.
Whether you’re arriving by foot, rail, or water, getting to the stadium is simple and part of the celebration.
Public Transportation Options
Getting around Seattle is straightforward, with a range of reliable transit options connecting the city, region, and airport directly to Seattle Stadium.
Link Light Rail
Link light rail is the easiest and most efficient way to travel to the stadium, especially on match days. The system runs between SEA Airport and downtown, with convenient connections to neighborhoods throughout the region, including the new 2 Line Eastside connection.
For most visitors, the International District/Chinatown Station is the best place to exit, placing you just a short walk from the stadium gates. Depending on where you’re coming from, Pioneer Square Station or Stadium Station may also be good options, with each offering a similar walking distance. Passengers with mobility limitations should use the International District/Chinatown Station. Discover more information on accessibility on our accessibility travel guide.
On match days, trains will run frequently, so it’s easy to plan your trip around kickoff. Visit Sound Transit’s website for more information about Preferred Link Station Routing.
King County Metro Bus photo credit Ian Dewar
Buses
Seattle’s bus system connects every corner of the city and plays an important role during the World Cup. Regular routes run throughout the day, while special services will help visitors move easily between key destinations.
During the tournament, additional match-day shuttles and seasonal services make it even easier to travel between the stadiums, downtown, and fan celebration sites. Use the King County Metro Trip Planner to see which options work best for you.
Ferries
Arriving by ferry offers one of the most memorable ways to enter the city. Boats dock at Colman Dock (Pier 52), less than a mile from the stadium, with service from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. Water taxis arrive at Pier 50 and connect West Seattle and nearby communities. From the terminal, it’s an easy walk through downtown or a quick connection by shuttle or transit with unbeatable views along the way.
Use the WSDOT mobile app or visit the Washington State Ferries (WSF) website before heading to the terminal for updated sailing schedules, rider alerts, and wait times.
Paying for Transit
Ways to Pay
Paying for your ride is now easier than ever. You can get an ORCA card at any light rail or Metro ticket machine, which accept cash, Visa, and Mastercard. A special 3-Day PugetPass will be available throughout the summer, providing unlimited rides on Link light rail, Metro buses, the water taxi, and the Seattle street car for $18 plus a $3 card fee. (You can maximize the value of a PugetPass by purchasing one when you first arrive at SEA airport.)
Tap to Pay is now available across the Puget Sound region—simply tap your contactless credit or debit card or use your digital wallet to ride. Prefer to use your phone? Download the Transit GO Ticket app from the Apple Store or Google Play to buy tickets digitally. Buses also accept exact cash fares.
Navigating Downtown
A Compact, Walkable Downtown
Seattle’s compact layout makes it easy to walk from downtown hotels, Pioneer Square, Chinatown–International District, or the waterfront in about 15 to 20 minutes.
On match days, the area will transform into the Pioneer Square Pedestrian-Only Zone starting four hours prior to kickoff, allowing only bikes, scooters, transit, and emergency vehicles access. Access our official Seattle Downtown walking map to better plan your trip.
Photo Courtesy Friends of the Waterfront
Waterfront and Matchday Shuttle
Throughout the summer, getting around central Seattle is even easier thanks to free shuttle services.
The Waterfront Shuttle will run daily starting May 21 through Labor Day. Passengers can hop on and reach stops like Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, the waterfront, Pioneer Square, and the stadium, offering a convenient way to explore the city’s most iconic destinations. Service will be even more frequent on match days.
In addition, free Match Day Shuttles will operate on game days, connecting Seattle Stadium with downtown destinations and Fan Celebration locations.
Seattle Unity Loop
One of the best ways to experience the city on your way to the match is along the Seattle Unity Loop.
This curated walking and biking route was created especially for the World Cup and connects the stadiums with downtown, the waterfront, and fan zones, creating a vibrant path through the heart of Seattle. Along the way, you’ll encounter public art, cultural moments, and spaces designed to bring people together.
Whether you’re heading to kick-off or exploring between events, the Unity Loop turns your journey into part of the celebration—typically taking about 15 to 25 minutes depending on your route.
Lime Bikes, Photo: Ballard Bus Echo Visuals
Bikes & Scooters
For shorter distances, bikes and scooters offer a quick way to get around.
Shared options like Lime bikes and scooters are widely available throughout the city, making it easy to travel between downtown and Seattle Stadium in about 10 to 15 minutes. Riding through Seattle’s streets and along the waterfront can be a fun, efficient way to experience the city between events.
From Fan Celebrations
Wherever you begin your day, the celebration is already underway.
Celebrate
Seattle’s Fan Celebration locations are all free and open to the public, you can watch matches live on big screens, join fellow fans from around the world, and feel the energy of the tournament through the city.
When it’s time to head to the stadium, you’re already perfectly positioned. Each Fan Celebration is connected by Seattle’s transit, walking routes, and free shuttle services, making it easy to move from watching the action with the crowd to being part of it inside the stadium.
Seattle Center. Photo: Rachael Jones
Seattle Center
From Seattle Center, the Seattle Monorail offers a quick and uniquely Seattle experience, gliding into downtown in just a couple of minutes. From there, it’s an easy walk or light rail connection (Westlake Station) to the stadium.
More details about the Seattle Center Fan Celebrations
Seattle Monorail Fan Pass
Enjoy unlimited Seattle Monorail rides for three consecutive days between downtown and Seattle Center with a 3-Day Fan Pass—just $20 per person. A fast, easy way to skip traffic and stay connected to all the fan action.
Courtesy Friends of Waterfront Park
Pier 62
Located on the Waterfront, take the light rail to Symphony Station or the Free Waterfront Shuttle to this fan celebration. To get to the stadium, you can take a scenic route south along the waterfront alongside fellow fans or hop on one of the free shuttles for a quick and easy connection.
More details about the Waterfront Park Fan Celebrations
Pacific Place
Located in the heart of downtown, Pacific Place sits directly above the Westlake transit hub. From here, you can walk to the stadium in about 20 minutes or take the light rail a few stops south for a faster trip.
More details about the Pacific Place Fan Celebrations
Victory Hall SoDo
Hop off at Stadium Stop from the light rail for this close Fan Celebration. Victory Hall is located just steps from the stadium, making it one of the easiest starting points. From here, you can walk to the gates in minutes or take a quick bike or scooter ride.
More details about the Victory Hall Fan Celebrations
Driving
While driving is an option, it’s not the easiest way to reach the stadium on match days.
With limited parking, street closures, and large pedestrian zones in place, transit and walking are strongly recommended. For those traveling from outside the city, using a park-and-ride and connecting to light rail is often the most convenient approach
View the interactive map of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) FIFA street closures and operational changes.
Flip Your Trip for Locals
If you live or work in the area, consider planning a car-free trip during the tournament. Local resources like SDOT’s “Flip Your Trip” program offer helpful tips for navigating downtown more easily during major events.
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