Bellingham has been selected as one of nine “fan zone” cities in Washington State, designated by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 organizing committee. The Seattle organizers want to ensure as many Washingtonians as possible can be a part of this historic event, and the City of Bellingham is thrilled to invite our local fans and fans from around the world to take in FIFA World Cup 2026TM with an unforgettable fan zone!
We’re right in the middle of the excitement, conveniently located between matches in both Seattle and Vancouver, BC, and we’re poised to celebrate with soccer fans from all over, welcoming them to make Bellingham their home base to explore the best of the Pacific Northwest.
What does it mean to be a fan zone?
As a fan zone, Bellingham will air each of the six FIFA World Cup 2026TM matches played in Seattle at local venues for exciting watch parties – including a game on June 19 featuring Team USA.
Our community will also benefit from a portion of state and federal funding for security and small business readiness, and we’ll receive support to host fan activations and spin-off events activities to celebrate the spirit of the games. In addition to watch parties, you can expect other opportunities to join in the excitement – with more chances to watch matches from other North American cities; arts, culture and recreational activities; and tie-ins to existing local events.
We are also harnessing this opportunity to not only make the Bellingham fan zone a top-notch experience in 2026, but also to leave a legacy for our community’s future. We’re leveraging this moment to grow economic opportunities for local businesses, spur legacy projects that will benefit our community for years to come, and to showcase our city as a perennial destination for visitors.
What’s next?
Bellingham is ready to get in the game for FIFA World Cup 2026TM. The City of Bellingham has been working for months to secure this opportunity, and we are building a team with the expertise to make this an unrivaled experience with lasting positive impact for our community.
We’re grateful and excited to have key partnerships in place with the Port of Bellingham and Visit Bellingham – organizations poised to lead on economic development opportunities and tourism.
In the coming months, we will be rolling out the plans we’ve had underway to convene the many stakeholders who are critical to making this a success. Over the next year and a half, this group of local experts will support planning for transportation needs, local business supports, events and activities, City projects and much more.
We are all in to make our city shine, and we can’t wait to enjoy FIFA World Cup 2026TM with you, Bellingham!
