Seattle Sounders FC photo credit Jane Gershovich

Seattle Gears Up for Major Soccer Events

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A large troll statue under a concrete bridge is draped with colorful sports jerseys. Several people stand around, some posing for photos and others walking or talking nearby.

Fremont Troll courtesy Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle loves soccer! The city’s professional men’s and women’s teams—MLS’s Sounders FC and NWSL’s Reign FC—enjoy devoted followings. And now the city is gearing up to welcome teams and fans from across the globe for two world-class soccer events.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025™

This summer, Seattle is one of the 12 cities hosting the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. This tournament pits the 32 best clubs from six worldwide confederations against each other: Concacaf (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean), AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). The Sounders qualified, becoming the first US MLS team to ever do so, by winning the Concacaf championship in 2022. The six games in Seattle will be played at Lumen Field June 15–25 and feature the Sounders, Atlético de Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil’s Botafogo, Argentina’s CA River Plate, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, and Italy’s FC Internazionale Milano. To book tickets and for more information, visit fifa.com/tickets.

FIFA World Cup 26™

Seattle is one of 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada hosting FIFA World Cup 26™ matches. This prestigious men’s World Cup tournament began in 1930 and takes place every four years. In 2026, it will feature teams from 48 nations, an increase from the 32 that have competed in the past—it’s the largest expansion in the history of the tournament. Over six weeks, teams will go head-to-head in a thrilling, action-packed process of elimination to see who can best the previous Cup champions, Argentina. Lumen Field will host six games during the 2026 World Cup (Team USA will compete on June 19). To score tickets, register on the FIFA website to find out when they’ll become available.

A soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball past opponents in white during a match, with a crowd of fans filling the stadium seats in the background.

Seattle Sounders FC photo credit Jane Gershovich

Watch with Friends

People sit at tables and booths in a lively sports bar, watching baseball on large TVs hanging above the bar area. Some wear team shirts, while others eat, drink, and talk. The atmosphere is busy and energetic.

Hatback Bar & Grille courtesy Seattle Mariners

Whether you’re here for the tournament or to watch regular-season Sounders and Reign FC games, Seattle’s sports bars are perfect for both pre-gaming and watching matches with a joyful crowd of like-minded fans. Watch soccer on TV while playing Duffleboard (a cross between minigolf and shuffleboard) and other games at Flatstick Pub or while dining on crispy fried chicken at Golden Roosters. Both are just a short walk from Lumen Field in historic Pioneer Square. Sharing its space with Steelheads Alley microbrewery, Hatback Bar & Grille features 20 screens—its Victory Hall area is open to all ages three hours before Sounders games. Xtadium has a clubby vibe, with plenty of TVs plus an LED wall featuring sports events. A bit farther away, ideal spots for Cup-watching include Greenlake’s Atlantic Crossing; The George & Dragon Pub, a British-style bar in Fremont; and Ballard’s stylishly designed Rough & Tumble Pub, which is devoted to women’s sports but shows both women’s and men’s games on its many big-screen TVs.

A soccer player in a navy blue jersey with "32 BUGG" on the back is about to kick the ball, while a defender in a white kit blocks her. A goalkeeper and a crowd of spectators are in the background. Seattle Reign FC photo credit Jane Gershovich

Seattle Reign FC and Seattle Sounders FC

Reign FC is a founding member of the National Women’s Soccer League and has been one of the most successful teams, with three NWSL Shields and seven playoff appearances. The Sounders kicked off their first MLS season in 2009 and have enjoyed enormous success and fandom from the start. In addition to being 2022 Concacaf champions, they’ve captured the MLS Cup twice and the US Open Cup four times.

Watch both teams compete at Lumen Field. The Reign FC play 13 regular season home games, from March through October. The Sounders play 17 regular season home games, from February through October.

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