In June, Seattle will host six FIFA Club World Cup 2025 games at Lumen Field, just up the street. Get ready neighbors!
On Jan. 27 the Seattle mayor’s office announced small business and community support initiatives focused on the Chinatown-International District (CID), SODO and Pioneer Square neighborhoods with “goals of increasing exposure and opportunity throughout the tournament, and building a positive legacy of economic opportunity long after the final whistle.”
But with our proximity to the stadium, Georgetown businesses could benefit from the influx of visitors as well. The opportunity to showcase our unique neighborhood could give visitors a taste of old Seattle and what’s possible when a community celebrates diversity and mutual support.
The event might also impact our daily lives. Traffic increases, game attendees seeking nearby parking and a possible push to remove encampments of unhoused residents from the areas nearest the stadium leading up to the World Cup games could have ramifications for Georgetown.
So, on Feb. 24, members of the Georgetown Business Association (GBA), Georgetown Community Council (GCC), and the Georgetown Gazette met along with community members to discuss how our neighborhood can be involved and what the impacts and opportunities might be.
Several ideas on these topics were discussed at the meeting:
Businesses might benefit from staying open later on game days, when soccer fans are out celebrating.
We might host watch parties, possibly with a large screen on one of our piers.
The city may have funds available for some neighborhood clean-up.
It might be possible to work with Metro and the companies that rent bikes and scooters to provide more service in Georgetown during the tournament.
Traffic routing assistance from Seattle Police might be prudent.
The playfield could be used to host celebration matches among local soccer teams.
It might be an opportunity to shed light on and advocate for more long-term positive solutions to some of the issues we face.
We should ask for an ethical plan if the city intends on relocation of unhoused people in Georgetown.
At the end of the meeting, a subcommittee formed to follow up on these issues and more. If you’d like to be a part of these discussions, reach out to directors@georgetownneighborhood.org to be connected with committee organizers.
FIFA World Cup 2025 Seattle match dates
Sun, June 15, 7 pm: Botafogo vs. Seattle
Tues, June 17, 12 pm: CA River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds
Thurs, June 19, 3 pm: Atlético de Madrid vs. Seattle
Sat, June 21, 12 pm: FC Internazionale Milano vs. Urawa Red Diamonds
Mon, June 23, 12 pm: Seattle vs. Paris St. Germain
Weds, June 25 6 pm: FC Internazionale Milano vs. CA River Plate
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