Seattle will host six matches and multiple fan celebrations during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup between June 11 - July 19, 2026. These matches and events will bring opportunities and restrictions for film and media production. Please follow these guidelines during your production planning.
World Cup match days in Seattle:
- June 15
- June 19
- June 24
- June 26
- July 1
- July 6
Match days
- High-impact filming, including street closures, intermittent traffic control, reserving ten or more street parking spaces, or performing major pedestrian holds, will not be allowed on match days in the area shown in this map.
- Seattle Uniformed Police Officer availability will be restricted throughout Seattle on match days.
Filming at public events
- You must obtain permission from event organizers to film at an event.
- With the event organizer’s permission to film at the event, no City of Seattle Master Film Permit is required for filming within the event footprint.
Filming on private property
No City of Seattle Master Film Permits are needed for filming on private property.
Popular locations
- Many City of Seattle landmarks and popular locations, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and others, are privately owned or require permissions outside the City of Seattle Master Film Permit.
- Refer to the Seattle Film Manual for contact information for many of these locations.
City of Seattle Requirements
- Drone use in the City of Seattle does not supersede any regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Only certified remote pilots are legally allowed to fly in the City of Seattle.
- A City of Seattle Master Film Permit is required when drones are taking off or landing on City-owned property (e.g., streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks), and/or when the flight requires control of City property (e.g., holding vehicle or pedestrian traffic).
- All materials listed in the City of Seattle Film Office Film Manual are required.
- Consult FAA airspace restrictions using free tools such as AirLoft.
- Much of the City of Seattle Downtown core is Class D Airspace and will require Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorization.
- The FAA's Operations Over People regulations must be followed at all times.
Drone filming at or near the stadium
- FAA Guidelines prohibit drones in, and within three nautical miles, of Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) beginning three hours before and ending two hours after the scheduled start and end of any match.
- The Seattle Police Department, King County Sherrif's Office, Washington State Patrol, and the Federal Government will be deploying counter-drone response in order to ensure that these guidelines are followed.
Drone filming within outdoor public and private event footprints
- Drone use is allowed within event footprints only with the consent of the event organizers.
- Drone pilots must apply for a City of Seattle Master Film Permit to fly if the event is occurring on city owner property (e.g., streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks).
Drone filming from and over private property
- No City of Seattle Master Film Permits are required only if:
- The drone is taking off and landing on private property, and is flying exclusively over private property.
- They drone is taking off and landing on private property and flying over city property without need for control of City property.
*City of Seattle or FAA guidelines are subject to change. The FAA will may establish additional Temporary Flight Restrictions and will handle any post-mitigation follow up (unless a criminal act occurs).
- All media organizations covering the FIFA World Cup must be registered with FIFA directly. See the FIFA Media Hub for details.
- Official tournament fan zones are coordinated by the Seattle Local Organizing Committee. Contact them directly at media@sea2026.org for credentialing information.
- Filming at non-official tournament fan celebration locations will require permission directly from the event organizers.
- No City of Seattle Master Film Permits are required for media organizations.
- For filming that is occurring outside of the City of Seattle, please reach out to Vicky Berglund-Davenport at Washington Filmworks.
- Check out Washington Filmworks' locations database to help with production planning.
- Visit the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Opportunities Page for information on crew and production opportunities in Seattle during the tournament.
- Do you want to add yourself as an available crew or business service? Looking for crew or support services for your production? Consult the Washington Filmworks Production Directory.