As FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer tournament don start, Sound Transit don launch several upgrades to make passenger experience better. New and regular riders go see improvements for stations and on board trains, plus extra service on match days.
For stations, elevator, escalator and other facilities technicians dey ready for rapid response if any wahala come out. On board trains, riders go hear welcoming and how-to-ride messages from women’s soccer legend Megan Rapinoe and former Seahawks standout Doug Baldwin.
These improvements dey add to ORCA tap-to-pay, wey allow transit riders to use any contactless debit or credit card to pay fare. The Crosslake Connection with 2 Line service across Lake Washington, wey connect Redmond to Lynnwood via Downtown Seattle, and new overnight ST Express bus service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to downtown Seattle, all don start earlier this year.
During the tournament, passengers go dey encouraged to use multiple stations to reach games. From north, use Pioneer Square; from south, use Stadium; from east (and passengers with reduced mobility), use International District/Chinatown. The Weller Street Bridge over railroad tracks at King Street Station go be reserved for passengers with reduced mobility and Sounder riders. Others fit access stadium via South Jackson Street.
Additional security personnel and Sound Transit staff go dey available at stations to help passengers. Even with extra service, riders suppose expect that trains go be crowded during peak times. For passengers to get best riding experience, Sound Transit get tips to help riders during tournament and throughout busy summer season.
This results in trains arriving every four minutes from International District/Chinatown. T Line for Tacoma go run trains every 12 minutes on match days and extend service for evening matches to meet Sounder passengers at Tacoma Dome Station. For six matches, Sounder game trains go dey added, and schedule adjustments go dey made for some existing trains to serve World Cup matches.
Regular Sounder commuters should check schedules as timetables fit don change. Trains from Everett take about one hour to reach King Street Station. The trip be about one hour and 20 minutes from Lakewood. Sound Transit dey also prepare to add ST Express service along key routes if needed and pausing any new work on 1 Line and 2 Line wey fit disrupt service.
Lumen Field, temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium, host its first ever World Cup game as Egypt face Belgium for group stage. Seattle Stadium not only change and hide all non-FIFA approved sponsorships, but also undergo massive pitch surgery to comply with federation grass guidelines. Seattle go host six matches, with local fans marking June 19 clash between US Men’s National Team and Australia.
City prepare for massive game-day surge around stadium and Pioneer Square. City expect 100,000 fans for game day in and around stadium, with Pioneer Square designated as heart of action and official pedestrian hub for World Cup. During one match on Sunday, few hundred people gather to watch on big screen, but organizers say biggest test and excitement for Pioneer Square go come Monday, when Seattle host first of six matches.
While Portland, known as Soccer City USA, no go host any matches for World Cup, city still get place for world biggest sporting event. University of Portland don be selected by FIFA as official Team Base Camp for Jordan men national soccer team during 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jordan dey use university facilities as headquarters throughout group stage, training on campus and spending much time for Portland between matches.
For Portland, soccer fans go get new place to gather for World Cup matches without traveling to Seattle, California or other states. Portland Timbers dey plan four days of free FIFA World Cup watch parties and activities at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
