Seattle Center Celebrates LET’S PLAY SEA ’26: Unveils World Soccer Fan Celebration at Seattle Center
Designated as a primary civic hub for the citywide celebration, Seattle Center becomes Seattle’s unofficial home field for the world’s game
LET’S PLAY SEA ’26, developed by Visit Seattle as the city’s official campaign, highlights the full range of experiences happening across the region. At Seattle Center, that vision comes to life through a campus-wide Fan Celebration—bringing together shared fan experiences, cultural programming, and community-driven activations across one of the city’s most iconic public spaces.
As one of the city’s official fan experience sites, Seattle Center will anchor Seattle’s Fan Celebrations—offering a free, welcoming, and all-ages destination for fans, families, residents, and visitors from around the world.
From June 11 through July 19, Seattle Center will serve as Seattle’s Global Living Room—a place to gather, connect, and experience the energy of the world’s game together.
“Seattle Center has always been where our city comes together—and this summer, that role expands onto the global stage,” said Seattle Center Acting Director Randy Engstrom. “LET’S PLAY SEA ’26 — World Soccer Fan Celebration at Seattle Center creates a shared civic experience where people can come as they are, connect with one another, and be part of something larger than themselves.”
A Campus-Wide Fan Celebration
Seattle Center’s Fan Celebration is designed as a full-campus experience—featuring music, art, culture, and opportunities for fans to gather and engage around the tournament across multiple venues and public spaces.
Indoor and outdoor environments throughout the campus will offer comfortable, flexible spaces where fans can spend time together, enjoy food and entertainment, and take part in the atmosphere of the global event.
Signature Experiences Across Campus
• Armory Food & Event Hall — Center of the Game
A central indoor gathering space featuring food, seating, and a large-format screen within a comfortable, all-weather environment—designed as a place for fans to connect and share the experience throughout the day.
• Mural Amphitheatre — Signature Match Day Activation
An outdoor setting beneath the Space Needle, offering high-energy fan experiences on select match days, with live entertainment, DJs, and expanded food and beverage offerings.
• KEXP Gathering Space — Music and Community Hub
Community-driven programming and curated music experiences led by KEXP, adding a distinctive, music-forward dimension to the celebration.
• International Fountain & Open Spaces
Open lawns, public seating, and rotating pop-ups designed for gathering, relaxation, and shared experiences, alongside live performances and DJ showcases.
Programming Highlights
Confirmed programming includes:
• Cultural festivals and community celebrations reflecting Seattle’s global communities
• Live music and DJ programming across campus
• Public art installations, pop-up experiences, and interactive exhibits
• Fitness classes, workshops, and family-friendly programming
Seattle Center and its partners will transform the campus into a Fan Celebration that reflects the diversity, creativity, and spirit of the city.
Connected to the City
Seattle Center is one of four official fan celebration sites, as designated by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee. As a central hub within Seattle’s citywide celebration, Seattle Center plays a key role along the Unity Loop, connecting fans to neighborhoods, venues, and experiences across the city.
With direct transit access and planned shuttle connections, Seattle Center serves as the north portal to downtown Seattle’s fan celebrations—providing a seamless entry point for residents and visitors moving throughout the city.
Special acknowledgement to our partners — the Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Visit Seattle, and the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee — for their collaboration in bringing this celebration to life, with additional partners to be announced soon.
LET’S PLAY SEA ’26 — World Soccer Fan Celebration at Seattle Center invites everyone to be part of a global moment—right here at the Center.
Additional announcements will be shared in the coming weeks. Programming elements are subject to final licensing approvals.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and is home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others.
Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.
In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.
Seattle Center welcomes nearly 12 million visits annually, generating nearly $3.3 billion in total economic activity, supporting 19,400 jobs, and producing more than $37 million in local tax revenue for the City of Seattle.
With the support of its official partners—Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank—Seattle Center is the most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact
Jayme Stocker | jayme.stocker@seattle.gov 206-507-5353
