Seattle and Vancouver Coordinate for 2026 World Cup Tourism

Cross-border planning aims to manage over 1.1 million visitors and billions in economic impact.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:04am

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale of international sporting events, with towering stadiums and sweeping cityscapes rendered in bold, airbrushed gradients of color.The 2026 World Cup will bring a surge of international visitors to the Pacific Northwest, requiring careful cross-border coordination between Seattle and Vancouver.Seattle Today

Seattle and Vancouver are working together to coordinate planning and strategies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring over 1.1 million visitors and billions in economic impact to the Pacific Northwest region across the U.S.-Canada border.

Why it matters

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be hosted by multiple countries, with games taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seattle and Vancouver, located just 150 miles apart, are collaborating on transportation, tourism, and digital tools to manage the influx of visitors and maximize the regional economic benefits.

The details

The two cities are aligning their plans for transportation, accommodations, and visitor services to create a seamless experience for World Cup fans traveling between the U.S. and Canada. This includes coordinating on digital tools and apps to help manage crowds, traffic, and lodging reservations.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June to July 2026.

The players

Seattle

A major city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, located just south of the U.S.-Canada border.

Vancouver

A coastal city in western Canada, located just north of the U.S.-Canada border from Seattle.

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What’s next

Seattle and Vancouver officials will continue to meet and coordinate their World Cup planning efforts in the coming months to ensure a seamless experience for the expected influx of over 1.1 million visitors.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Cup presents a unique opportunity for Seattle and Vancouver to work together across the U.S.-Canada border, leveraging their proximity and shared tourism assets to manage the event's massive scale and economic impact for the entire Pacific Northwest region.