January 29 – With the World Cup officially only 500 days away, Local Organising Committees are shifting gears with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 (SeattleFWC26) leading the way by unveiling a World Cup Small Business Initiative.
It is estimated that the World Cup will generate $929 million in economic benefits to the city, while supporting more than 20,000 jobs in the six matches the area will host.
Civic and business leaders came together and joined SeattleFWC26 at Pioneer Square’s Friend Museum to announce their approach to help more small businesses share in that benefit.
The World Cup Small Business Initiative will:
- Publish a statewide small business playbook to share information and best practices with businesses across Washington,
- Leverage the Community Business Connector program from the Seattle-Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to offer training and advice for businesses regionally, and
- Create full-time World Cup Neighborhood Liaisons in the Chinatown-International District (CID), SODO, and Pioneer Square to provide in-community assistance and information for the businesses closest to Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field).
The event highlighted the partnerships between the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, CID Small Business Relief Team, Alliance for Pioneer Square and SODO BIA.The World Cup Small Business Initiative is based on more than a year of community engagement in the CID, SODO, and Pioneer Square as well as statewide engagements with chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and business associations. The initiative also incorporates lessons learned from recent major sporting events that have visited the region.
David Young, Chief Operating Officer at First & Goal, Inc., which operates Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) where matches will be held, said: “With only 500 days until the games begin, we are wasting no time in listening, learning, and providing resources to ensure we support the neighborhoods and businesses that will be serving many of the 750,000 visitors in our city and region.”
In addition to focusing on the three Stadium Neighborhoods, SeattleFWC26 is expanding its small business engagement in 2025 as it plans and prepares for the U.S. Team’s June 10 match and a June 26 Pride Match.
As part of the responsibility of hosting these special matches, SeattleFWC26 will focus in 2025 on Black and LGBTQ+ businesses and communities to highlight in Seattle’s planning and hosting efforts. How new US President Donald Trump, who has recently become an enthusiastic backer of football, feels about this has yet to be confirmed.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1741558772labto1741558772ofdlr1741558772owedi1741558772sni@o1741558772fni1741558772