Seattle Prepares for Influx of World Cup Fans, Focuses on Homelessness

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority provides technical assistance as the city works to expand shelter options ahead of the global soccer tournament.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the complex challenges of addressing homelessness during a major sporting event.As Seattle prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, the city's efforts to expand homelessness services take on new urgency.Seattle Today

With the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup just months away, Seattle and King County officials are working to quickly scale up shelter solutions and expand proven models to support people experiencing homelessness, particularly in the SODO neighborhood where many individuals are currently living unsheltered. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is providing technical assistance to support these efforts, though the agency does not directly operate shelters or manage outreach contracts.

Why it matters

The influx of hundreds of thousands of soccer fans for the World Cup has prompted urgent action to address homelessness in the region, as officials aim to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both visitors and unhoused individuals during the global sporting event. This effort is part of the city's broader strategy to tackle the homelessness crisis, with the World Cup serving as a catalyst to accelerate shelter expansion and connect more people to services and housing.

The details

Seattle is hosting six World Cup games, and fan zones are planned across the state to accommodate the expected crowds. To prepare, the city is working to bring 1,000 new shelter beds online this year, a goal that city officials say is driven in part by the need to provide safe places for unhoused individuals during the tournament. While KCRHA does not directly operate shelters or manage outreach, the agency is providing technical assistance to support these efforts.

  • The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is scheduled for June and July.
  • Seattle is hosting six World Cup games during the tournament.
  • The city aims to bring 1,000 new shelter beds online by the end of 2023.

The players

Kate Brunette Kreuzer

Chief of Staff for the Mayor's Office in Seattle.

King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA)

The regional backbone agency for homelessness response, focused on system design, accountability, and regional coordination.

Seattle City Council

The legislative body of the City of Seattle, which is receiving briefings on the city's plans to address homelessness ahead of the World Cup.

King County Office of Emergency Management (KCOEM)

The agency responsible for coordinating emergency response efforts across King County, including discussions around safety plans for the World Cup.

Sound Transit

The regional public transit agency serving the Puget Sound area, which is preparing for the influx of World Cup fans.

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What they’re saying

“It is really important that when we are hosting so many visitors to our city that we to have places for those folks to go so that is why we're bringing emergency legislation to you all so that we can accelerate shelter expansion and make sure more people have a safe place to call home inside surrounded by the services they need to be successful.”

— Kate Brunette Kreuzer, Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office

What’s next

The King County Office of Emergency Management (KCOEM) will continue to meet regularly to discuss responding to a variety of large-scale emergencies during the World Cup tournament. The city and county will also work to finalize safety plans across several departments to ensure the safety of all attendees and residents.

The takeaway

The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is serving as a catalyst for Seattle and King County to rapidly expand shelter options and homelessness services, underscoring the importance of addressing the region's housing and homelessness crisis in the lead-up to a major global event. While the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is providing technical assistance, the city and county are leading the frontline efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both visitors and unhoused individuals during the tournament.