In Seattle, David Kroman wrote Seattle is “expected to spend at least” $32M on World Cup preparations. According to a City Council meeting Tuesday, about $14M will come “directly from the city’s coffers,” with the rest “made up of state and federal grants and through an agreement with the local organizing committee.” Many of those dollars will “go toward safety preparations” (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/6).
FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE: Fanatics Fest will host the official FIFA World Cup Final press conferences on Friday, July 17, two days before the Final, with coaches and players attending along with media availability for each team and an on-stage moment. Fanatics Fest will also host a watch party for the Final on Sunday, July 19, airing the game live on all screens around the Javits Center for the tens of thousands expected attendees that day (Fanatics).
JOINING COVERAGE: USA TODAY’s Jim Reineking wrote Fox Sports and Giants QB Jameis Winston announced on Wednesday that he “will work as a correspondent for the network’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup.” Winston joins a stable of athletes that Fox is bringing aboard for World Cup coverage, a group that includes former soccer players Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry, Peter Schmeichel and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (USA TODAY, 5/6).
TECH EXHIBIT: In Vancouver, Stuart Derdeyn wrote a Soccer and Technology exhibit is “opening soon in Vancouver.” Presented in collaboration with Science World and the FIFA Museum, the travelling exhibition will “coincide with the FIFA World Cup 26 events and runs May 15-Sept. 7” (Vancouver PROVINCE, 5/6).
MAJOR CLOSURES: The CP’s Nono Shen noted World Cup organizers in Vancouver have unveiled details of preparations that include the “closure of a major downtown road artery for more than two months.” A stretch of Pacific Blvd. close to BC Place stadium “will be closed from May 23 to late July.” That is in addition to “numerous other closures and traffic restrictions around the stadium on the seven match days in Vancouver” (CP, 5/6).
