The World’s Largest Soccer Tournament 2026
Plan ahead and have fun!
The world’s largest soccer tournament is coming to Seattle in June and July of 2026. An estimated 750,000 people will be visiting to watch the games, join the festivities, and enjoy our beautiful region! Whether you are a local resident or a visitor, planning ahead is the key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.
There will be no parking available at Seattle Stadium on gamedays. The goal is for 80% of people to travel to games through non-private vehicle transportation. This means that there will be a significant increase in transit ridership on gamedays. See below for information on how to reach Seattle Stadium on gamedays as well as how regular transit service will be impacted by this expected increase in ridership.
Gameday Service
Sound Transit Preferred Station Routing
Sound Transit is asking riders to use specific stations to travel to and from Seattle Stadium. Look for the soccer ball icons on signage at stations!
- Riders from the north on the 1 and 2 Lines should use Pioneer Square Station
- Riders from the south on the 1 Line should use Stadium Station
- Riders from the east on the 2 Line should use International District/Chinatown Station
- Riders with mobility challenges should use International District/Chinatown Station (see Accessibility section below)
Sound Transit Service Frequency on Gamedays
- Link 1 & 2 Lines will run every 8 minutes from 6 AM to 1 AM on all six gamedays
- Trains will run every 4 minutes between Lynnwood and International District/Chinatown on the shared segment
- Sounder and Tacoma Link will run special event service on gamedays
- Additional Sound Transit staff will be available to ensure safe, reliable, and positive rides for all passengers — whether attending games, celebrations, or any other trip
King County Metro Gameday Shuttle Services
Metro will operate three dedicated shuttle services during SEA26, all free of charge:
- Match Day Shuttle — Runs a loop throughout downtown Seattle, connecting passengers between Seattle Stadium, Seattle Center, and additional stops along the way on match days. The shuttle operates for 8 hours on each of the six match days, with buses arriving every 3 to 7 minutes. Rides are free, sponsored by SeattleFWC26 and its Host City Supporters. The schedule and route match for this shuttle can be found here.
- Accessible Match Day Shuttle — Designed specifically for fans with disabilities, this service runs two Access vehicles between the International District/Chinatown Link light rail station, Mariners Garage, and Seattle Stadium's ADA drop-off area. The shuttle serves each stop every 20 minutes or less, beginning three hours before each match and ending two hours after. No fares are collected and there are no eligibility requirements. For more information visit the King County Metro webpage.
- Waterfront Shuttle — Running daily from May 21 through September 7, this shuttle connects major downtown destinations including Seattle Center and the Space Needle, the Seattle waterfront, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Stadium, and the Chinatown–International District. Service runs 7 days a week from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with buses every 10 minutes on match days and every 15 minutes on non-match days. he schedule and route map can be found here.
Accessibility & Mobility Resources
Recommended Accessible Route to Seattle Stadium
For riders using the 1 Line or 2 Line, the most accessible path to the stadium is to exit at International District/Chinatown Station and use the Weller Street Bridge.
While all stations are accessible, International District/Chinatown offers the most direct, accessible, and level pathway to the stadium via the Weller Street Bridge. This route avoids heavy crowds and potential steep grades at Pioneer Square or Stadium Stations.
Priority Boarding for Riders with Accessibility Needs
Priority boarding will be available at the following stations closest to Seattle Stadium:
- Westlake Station
- Pioneer Square Station
- International District/Chinatown Station (recommended most accessible route)
- Stadium Station
Staff ambassadors and security personnel will be on hand to give riders with access needs priority boarding and elevator access at these stations.
Regional ADA Paratransit
ADA Paratransit service is available for eligible riders in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. Important: Demand will be extremely high on gamedays — book your trip well in advance.
For more information, visit: Access Transportation - King County, Washington
Other Transportation Options
King County Metro Bus Service
- King County Metro plans to add 60 buses on match days and 30 to 40 additional buses on non-match days during the tournament. There will be increased weekday service on Metro Routes 70, 101, 150, 40 throughout the whole World Cup calendar (June 15-July 6).
- Additional late-night service will be available after matches. Extra service will support travel north, south, and east on Metro Route 150, RapidRide D and E lines, and Sound Transit Routes 545, 550, and 554.
- There will be increased capacity for on-demand Metro Flex in Tukwila, Renton, Rainier Beach/Skyway, and Othello throughout the whole World Cup Calendar (June 15-July 6)
To get the most accurate real-time information about King County Metro service during the World Cup Tournament, visit the King County Metro SEA26 Soccer page.
Rideshare & Drop-Off Zones
- Designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones will be established near Seattle Stadium on gamedays
- Expect significant traffic delays around the stadium — allow extra travel time
- Taking transit is strongly encouraged over driving to reduce congestion and improve access for everyone
Parking
Parking near Seattle Stadium will be very limited on gamedays. There will be no parking available at the stadium and most nearby lots are expected to fill quickly and come at a premium cost. We strongly recommend using public transit instead of driving.
Plan Your Trip
Find a Ride's Trip Planner can help you plan a door-to-door accessible trip for any of the gamedays. The planner includes transit, paratransit, and other transportation options across the region. The Find a Ride Trip Planner along with other regional Trip Planners and informational resources are linked below.
Trip Planning Resources
Find a Ride Trip Planner: findaride.org/tripplanner
One Bus Away (real-time arrivals): Onebusaway for Puget Sound
Sound Transit Trip Planner: Trip planner | Sound Transit
King County Metro Trip Planner: About Trip Planner - King County, Washington
Informational Resources
FIFA Seattle Transportation Page: Transportation | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™
Commute Seattle: Getting to Work During the Seattle Summer of Soccer
ADA Paratransit Info: findaride.org/ADAParatransit
Puget Sound Transit Accessibility Resources: Accessible Transit Resources | Puget Sound Regional Guide





