The FIFA Club World Cup has brought a wave of excitement and economic activity to Seattle as the Downtown Seattle Association transforms Westlake Park into a vibrant soccer fan zone.

The initiative aims to celebrate the Seattle Sounders' participation on the global stage while boosting local businesses and ensuring public safety.

Neon green filled the streets as fans flocked to Lumen Field to support the Sounders in their match against Atletico Madrid. Brian Chandler, owner of Cookie’s Country Chicken, expressed enthusiasm about the influx of international visitors.

"There’s a lot of international people coming in and being able to interact with them and show them what we think is the best food in America—fried chicken," Chandler said. "With a game going on, can’t beat it."

For those not attending the game at Lumen Field, Westlake Park offers an alternative venue. The Downtown Seattle Association is hosting five free watch parties, turning the plaza into a soccer celebration. James Sido of the Downtown Seattle Association said, "When you have these huge large-scale events, it makes a lot of sense to have things that are free and open to the public for people to drop in and enjoy themselves in our public spaces."

The FIFA Club World Cup matches are expected to draw thousands of visitors, providing a much-needed boost for downtown restaurants, bars, and retailers.

"People that are coming in and experiencing Pioneer Square for the first time or the first time in a long time, we just want to show them a good time and feed them," said a local business representative.

Michael Woody, Chief Communications Officer for Visit Seattle, noted that this event serves as a precursor to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "When we look to next year, we’re looking at over 750,000 people coming to the Seattle/King County area over three weeks," Woody said. Business owners are capitalizing on the momentum of the Club World Cup, ensuring fans feel safe and welcome in downtown Seattle.

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