Mercer Island prepares for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published 7:30 pm Thursday, May 21, 2026

Mercer Island staff is prepared for when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks into action next month in Seattle.

Approximately a month before soccer players from Belgium and Egypt engage in the first regional match at Lumen Field — renamed Seattle Stadium for the tournament’s six games on that pitch — Island city management analyst Amelia Tjaden rolled out a planning report at city council’s May 19 regular meeting.

Staff began preparing for the massive event in 2025 and the city notes that up to 750,000 fans are anticipated to dribble into the region on match days. The long-awaited games in Seattle will take place on June 15 (noon, Belgium versus Egypt); June 19 (noon, United States versus Australia); June 24 (noon, Qatar versus playoff winner A); June 26 (8 p.m., Egypt versus Iran); July 1 (1 p.m., Round of 32); and July 6 (5 p.m., Round of 16).

“The city will feel the impact of the proximity to the games,” said Tjaden, noting that fans will be cruising along Interstate 90 to travel to the matches and that two light rail stops from Mercer Island will place supporters at World Cup central.

Tjaden’s high-level overview of the city’s planning included public safety, traffic management, parking and communications.

In the public safety realm on match days, the Mercer Island Police Department will deploy two marine patrol vessels to aid with security on Lake Washington and there will be a police presence in Town Center.

On the emergency management side, the manager and team have met regularly with regional and state partners, attended an Emergency Management FIFA World Cup Planning Symposium and conducted internal trainings with emergency and frontline staff, according to Tjaden.

“Staff will be ready and aware to respond quickly if an incident were to occur,” she said.

When it comes to local traffic management during the Cup, the city plans to maintain open road lanes and pause work on some active construction projects when games are taking place. Also when it comes to traffic, Tjaden noted that Mercer Island School District classes will be in session on the day of the first game.

Tjaden’s presentation focused heavily on the city’s parking strategies when the Cup arrives and people utilize public transit in traveling to the stadium. On match days, this includes free parking for Island residents at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center and $25 parking per game for non-residents at that facility.

“The community center is just north of the transit center and opening this lot to the public will greatly increase the parking supply for the city on match days,” said Tjaden, noting that staff will verify driver licenses for locals’ free parking. Revenue generated from parking fees will be used to offset the city’s police and emergency operations center expenses incurred during the Cup.

Key messaging from the city to residents in the communications sphere includes promoting light rail travel to games, warning locals of traffic impacts and park-and-ride lot capacity issues, and encouraging Islanders to adjust their plans on match days.

“After the first game and after every game, staff will conduct a post-match review and adjust strategies as needed,” Tjaden said.

Check out the city’s World Cup information page at: https://tinyurl.com/yc2bssut