Special event planning and permitting during FIFA Men's World Cup 2026
Seattle will host six World Cup matches between June 11 – July 19, 2026. If you're planning on hosting your own World Cup-related event, there are several ways to host your event or watch party depending on the size, location, and scope of your activity.
Some will require permission from the City of Seattle, others will only require permission from FIFA. Make sure to give yourself more than enough time to plan and permit your event. The Seattle Special Events Office is the coordinating function for Seattle’s Events and Activities Unified Permitting process during the event and is your starting point.
See below to make sure you give yourself enough time to plan and permit your event.
Contact us at SEAUP@seattle.gov or (206) 684-8017 and we’ll get you where you need to go.
Interested in hosting a World Cup 2026 match watch party at your business? Consult the Seattle Sports Commission’s Watch Party Playbook for ways you can host a watch party at your business or on your private property. If your activity extends to public property, consult the Hosting Small Events and Hosting Large Events sections below about working with City permitting agencies.
Reminder: All watch parties require permission from FIFA.
Small events are generally 50 or fewer people gathering on a resident street or on a portion of a park. If you’re interested in hosting a watch party or event at a park or on the street, you’ll need permission from the City of Seattle. We can connect you with the right agency. Please see general timelines below for general permitting timelines depending on the event activity.
Reminder: All watch parties also require permission from FIFA.
Hosting a large event with 300 or more people on public property requires more planning time and coordination. The location and size of your watch party/event activity will help determine what permitting you may need to secure and the application turnaround time. Having alcohol service or vendors selling items at your event will also determine permitting needs and timelines. Please see below for general permitting timelines depending on the event activity.
Reminder: All watch parties also require permission from FIFA.
General permit timeline expectations*
| Activation | Permitting time to allow |
| Closing a neighborhood block for a neighborhood watch party (no alcohol, no vendors) | 14 days |
| Closing an alleyway (no alcohol, no vendors) | 30 days to permit |
| Reserving a City Park (no alcohol) | 30 days to permit |
| Adding a food truck or merch vendor | 60-90 days to permit |
| Ticketed or restricted entry (not open to the public) | 90 days to permit |
| Expecting more than 300 people | 90 days to permit |
| Adding alcohol service | 90 days to permit |
| Closing an arterial/major street | 90 days to permit |
*Note that these do not cover all event scenarios and permits, and timelines may vary depending on location and event activities.
