One day after the last Seattle-based match of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, civic leaders are “tantalized by the prospect of hosting other global sports events,” including the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton of the SEATTLE TIMES. Seattle’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup local organizing committee CEO Peter Tomozawa said Tuesday, “One hundred percent, we have our sights set on it. It’s going to be awesome if we get it. It’ll be a huge mistake, I think, if we don’t.” Boyanton wrote the global soccer tournament was considered a “smash hit for Seattle by locals and tourists alike.” Seattle Sports Commission President and CEO Beth Knox is “leading the charge” for Seattle’s selection as a host city once more. She anticipates that FIFA will announce the host countries for the 2031 Women’s World Cup “at the end of the year, then triggering the host city application process.” That is “not the only sporting event local leaders have in mind.” Knox said that she “wants to pursue a variety of bids, such as NCAA championships and international youth competitions.” She also aims to “explore opportunities like the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic torch relay, golf tournaments and the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup” (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/7). In Seattle, Rick Morgan wrote Downtown Seattle Association VP Jennifer Casillas said that “more than 580,000 people were downtown” on June 19, when the USMNT beat Australia 2-0 in the group stage at Seattle Stadium. That number “only includes domestic foot traffic, not international visitors.” Casillas added that it was “one of the busiest days downtown on record” (PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/7).
BACK TO NORMAL: In Seattle, Sofia Schwarzwalder wrote the transformation back to Lumen Field from Seattle Stadium began Tuesday morning, “less than 24 hours after the final whistle of Seattle’s last match” of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Crews began working Tuesday morning to “restore the stadium to what Seattle fans are used to seeing.” Many of the largest Lumen signs remained covered, with only the blue “FIELD” lettering visible. But other sponsorship and local team signs, including one next to the stadium ticket office for the Sounders’ “inaugural season ticket members” had been put back up by Tuesday afternoon. Seahawks Dir of Business Communications Kaitlin Goodall said that the transition back to Lumen Field “would continue throughout the week” (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/7).
SUCESSFUL PREPERATIONS: In Seattle, Kai Uyehara wrote from new soccer fields and artwork across the region to a workforce development program and a welcome center, Seattle FWC26 Chief Legacy Officer Leo Flor said at a Monday news conference that “hosting the World Cup has been an occasion to enrich Seattle while all eyes are on the city.” As of now, 52 new soccer fields “have been built across the state” with the support of the RAVE Foundation, a charitable arm of Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC. Seattle FWC26 contributed “directly to 15 of those fields.” Numerous art installations have “immortalized the World Cup across the host city” (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/7).
