Seattle, Vancouver to Welcome Millions for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sixteen cities across three countries North America will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and for soccer fans who want to experience two different countries next summer, there isn’t an easier or better option than the Seattle-Vancouver double play.

Seattle’s proximity to Vancouver makes it the closest international pairing amongst host cities and the second closest stadium duo to New York and Philadelphia. The two cities sit 143 miles apart and have similarities as Pacific Northwest destinations, yet are different at the same time. Visit Seattle and Destination Vancouver showcased both cities to SportsTravel recently as they prepare to host the biggest sporting event in the world next summer.

“On one hand, it’s a challenge because they’ve got to be in two separate countries if visitors go to both. But on the other hand, that’s another opportunity,” said Kelly Saling, senior vice president and chief sales officer for Visit Seattle. “If they’re coming from another place in the world — Europe, Africa, Asia, South America — you have an opportunity to go to two countries and have that tournament experience. Vancouver is still uniquely Canadian in a way that Seattle is uniquely American. I think that’s a cool thing and I hope people take advantage of that opportunity.”

For Ben Fisk, director of partnerships at Vancouver Football Club and a Vancouver native, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a chance for his city to show people from around the globe the hospitality and beauty of his hometown.

“It feels pretty surreal. Growing up in East Vancouver, I never could have imagined something like this coming to our city,” Fisk said. “First and foremost, visitors will notice how welcoming and friendly Canadians are. We’re very hospitable. You’re coming for the soccer but stay for all the other charms that our city has. If you enjoy the outdoors there are few better places in the world to visit.”

Seattle Prepares for Landmark Event

If you ask anybody in Seattle what hosting the World Cup could be comparable to in the city’s history, the immediate answer is the 1962 World’s Fair. That event spanned six months and welcomed more than 10 million people to the city, cementing Seattle as a tech hub and putting it on the map as a vacation destination. It also was when the famous Space Needle was unveiled.

Sixty-three years later, Seattle is preparing for a party unlike anything seen by recent generations.

“We have a platform that we haven’t had before,” said April Putney, chief strategy officer at Seattle FWC2026. “The current estimates are more than 2 billion people are going to watch just the six matches in Seattle, so we have an amazing opportunity to showcase our city. We’re also going to have hundreds of thousands of fans; we’ll find out a better number of how many there will be after we learn what teams will be playing here along with the U.S. team.”

While the World Cup draw won’t take place until December, Seattle knows it will host a group stage match featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team on June 19 at Lumen Field, home of the MLS’ Seattle Sounders and NFL’s Seahawks.

Soccer has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in Seattle. The Sounders recently defeated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to win the Leagues Cup in front of nearly 70,000 fans; it prepared for that Leagues Cup title matchup with a regular season game against Sporting KC on August 24, winning 5-2 in front of over 30,000 fans at a stadium that’s perfectly located for World Cup action.

“I think we are really lucky to have a stadium, unlike most of the other stadiums in the tournament, that’s in the heart of our downtown,” Putney said. “All of our transit goes there by default and it’s really easy to get around. There are buses and trains that bring you to the other parts of the state so people can truly visit Washington and Seattle and see all of the different things without needing to rely on a car.”

There are several lodging options easily walkable for fans to Lumen Field. The Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown offers one of the best views of Lumen Field and Puget Sound anywhere in the city, especially from the 23rd floor penthouse suite, which will be one of the hottest accommodation options next summer.

Seattle will also be launching the Unity Loop, which is a four–mile loop connecting the stadium and the new beautiful waterfront up to the Seattle Center where the fan celebration will be located, then connecting to Chinatown international district and Pioneer Square.

“This is the biggest thing that we’ve done since the World’s Fair. So from that regard, we’re more excited because we are newer and maybe a little more eager then some other host cities,” Saling said. “I also think our city gets to show off in a way that we haven’t been able to before. We’re a little under the radar in ways that other large port cities aren’t. We’re excited to punch above our weight and prove that’s what we do across the board.”

There is always plenty to do and see around Seattle. In addition to the Space Needle, which is a must-see for all tourists, there was also kayaking in South Lake Union, a tour of Pike Place Market (including a famous fish throw), a trip to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and a walk down the new Waterfront project that cost nearly $1 billion.

As next June approaches, there’s a mixture of stress and excitement for those planning World Cup activations.

“I’m still more anxious than excited, so my ratio still tips that way,” Saling said. “Now that we’re inside a year and it’s in sight, it’s getting closer to excited, but it’s still 65–35 anxious. But this city is spectacular. It’s gorgeous and I think that it will show that way.”

“It’s a strong majority excitement and eagerness,” Putney added. “This is something that we’ve been planning for and waiting for as a city and as a state since we learned that we were a host city in 2022.

“It’s not just about the matches, but how do we use this moment? How do we leverage it for a lasting legacy? All of the people that are coming here are about to see that the ‘rain in Seattle’ is not our weather. The summer is where we shine. And so this is going to be the perfect place to come.”

Vancouver Returns to World Stage

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games gave Vancouver a global spotlight for 16 days. That experience is being looked back on as the city prepares to host seven World Cup matches, including two of the Canada men’s national team group-stage games.

But Vancouver won’t just be a desired destination for Canadian fans, it’ll most likely be toward the top of any international fan’s travel wish list. In addition to being one of the most beautiful places on earth, Vancouver prides itself on its versatility.

“You can go golfing, skiing and on your boat in the same day — that’s Vancouver,” said Carl Valentine, a former player and coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps. “There’s just so many things for people to come here and experience in the summer, so it’s really going to put Vancouver on the map. We had the Winter Olympics here, which was just amazing. But the World Cup is the biggest event in the world. It’s going to be something they’ve never seen before.”

Valentine knows what the World Cup feels like, having played in all three of Canada’s matches in the 1986 World Cup. The Manchester, England, native signed with the Whitecaps as a rookie in 1979, earned Canadian citizenship in 1983 and then went on to finish his playing career with the Whitecaps from 1992–1999. He’s now an ambassador for the team.

“I was 20 years old in 1979 when I came to play for the Whitecaps and most of my adult life has been here in Vancouver,” Valentine said. “This is a huge opportunity for our city to showcase itself.”

Valentine was in attendance on August 23 when the Whitecaps defeated St. Louis City FC 3–2 in front of more than 26,000 fans at BC Place. The game was not only significant for the Whitecaps’ playoff aspirations, but also because it featured the first goal for recently signed German soccer legend Thomas Müller, who sent the crowd into a frenzy with a successful penalty kick in stoppage time.

For visitors coming to Vancouver for the first time, there are plenty of unique experiences to be had. During the Whitecaps game, an experience in the membership-only hospitality area called the Inner Circle shows why it will be very popular next summer for big spenders. A top-level room at the Westin Bayshore overlooking Vancouver Harbor and Stanley Park will be north of $1,000 per night next June.

Destination Vancouver provided a whale watching tour, which included seeing three different pods of orcas up close, as well as a humpback whale sighting. For more sea life, the Vancouver Aquarium is another great place for adults and families.

There’s also Grouse Mountain, located 15 minutes north of Vancouver. Guests can either take the six–minute gondola ride up and down the mountain or take the 2-plus hour hike. In the summer it features the Grizzly habitat, a Birds of Prey demonstration and a lumberjack show, as well as Altitudes Bistro restaurant.

“One of the biggest challenges the Vancouver Whitecaps have had over the years when it comes to putting people in the seats, is Vancouver itself — because it’s one of the most beautiful places in the summer with so much to do,” Valentine said.

Much like Valentine, Fisk has played soccer around the world, including stops in Spain, Ireland and the United States. He also had stints for FC Edmonton, Pacific FC and Calvary FC of the Canadian Premier League before finishing his career with Vancouver FC in 2024. As director of partnerships for his hometown club, Fisk has made it a mission to further increase soccer’s popularity in the region.

“It’s up to us to see how we can capitalize on the world’s eyes being on Canada and specifically on Vancouver,” Fisk said. “And make sure they know we actually are becoming a hotbed for soccer. And we’re creating opportunity for young kids to chase their dreams in the sport.

“I was lucky enough to represent Canada in lots of different countries and I think that feeling for a player is special no matter the stage. But doing it in a World Cup on home soil, that’s beyond anything I ever could have dreamt up as a kid and I’m sure most of the guys who will actually be on the field representing our country will feel the same way.”