First Seattle World Cup match Monday: What to know about getting around

After years of planning and anticipation, tomorrow’s the big day – Seattle’s first FIFA World Cup match, Belgium vs. Egypt at noon, with five more matches to follow here over the next three weeks. Whether you’re going to the game or just going to, or near, SODO and/or downtown, the map above shows some key things you need to know – particularly the area that’ll be closed off to motor-vehicle traffic. Some buses will be rerouted as a result – including West Seattle’s Route 21; go here to get reroute details. You can also read more about the pedestrian zone on this SDOT page, which says the street closures should start about four hours before the matches and end

The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s schedule will be affected too – a round trip will be added on World Cup match days during what otherwise is a two-hour gap in the WSWT schedule – a 10 am departure from downtown’s Pier 50 to Seacrest, and a 10:15 am departure from West Seattle.

We’ll be watching traffic/transportation closely through the day, with updates as (if) events warrant! If you see something your neighbors should know about, on the roads/path/water (or at the stadium!), we’re at 206-293-6302, text or voice, any time.

Cheesews777 June 15, 2026 (1:40 am)

We have trouble with traffic during a normal sounders game, let’s see how this goes

Lina Rose June 15, 2026 (7:52 am)

I’m curious about what water taxi traffic will be like. I’ve been thinking to take it to/from downtown for a watch party this week, maybe today. Wondering if they’ll hit capacity and have to divide the line. I only saw that one time when there was a Sounders and Mariners game same afternoon. Anyone take mid day boats last week on a Thursday or Friday that observed how crowded boat was?

Westwood June 15, 2026 (9:56 am)

They were higher than usual but nowhere near capacity.

PatWS June 15, 2026 (8:48 am)

Do we have a sense about what time the match will end, and how long it might take traffic to return to normal afterwards?

k June 15, 2026 (9:27 am)

It should end during rush hour, so traffic will likely not return to “normal” until later this evening. The road closures alone will mean significant traffic congestion through the area, even without factoring in attendance at the game.
Pele June 15, 2026 (9:39 am)

The match will end around 2:15. Each half will add stoppage time, but there is no overtime in group play.

Squarely June 15, 2026 (9:19 am)

I am just staying home eating pop corn in my garden of Eden…

Elizabeth June 15, 2026 (7:24 pm)

I went down this morning to see what the lines were like. The line was out to Harbor Avenue by 10am for the 10:15 boat. But everyone got on, and the last passengers to get on didn’t show up until 10:15. The attendant said the 10:15 boat was the third sell-out boat of the day. I presume Friday will be even busier.

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