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Lumen Field is shown from above with grow lamps on part of the pitch, with the Seattle skyline in the background.

Grass grows beneath lamps at Lumen Field, which is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches this summer. Photo:  Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Streets will be closed and trains and ferries may be packed — but for Seattle locals, daily life must still go on when FIFA brings six World Cup matches to Lumen Field this summer.

Why it matters: The World Cup frenzy — while exciting for soccer fans and city boosters alike — will require Seattleites to make a few changes to their routines.

Catch up quick: World Cup matches are set to take place at Lumen Field (temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium) on June 15, June 19, June 24, June 26, July 1 and July 6.

State of play: Streets throughout the Pioneer Square neighborhood will be heavily affected, with on-street parking banned starting at 2am on match days.

Those streets will be closed to traffic starting about four hours before each game and will reopen after each event ends, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

Light rail stations will also be mobbed during peak times on game days, Sound Transit warns, with lines expected to last up to two hours after matches. 

That's despite Sound Transit planning to run trains more frequently.

Yes, but: A free waterfront shuttle will help transport people starting May 21.

It will stop at the stadium, Seattle Center, Pioneer Square, Waterfront Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, the downtown ferry terminal, the Chinatown-International District and Pike Place Market.

The shuttle will run every 15 minutes most days, with service increasing to every 10 minutes on World Cup match days.

Normal hours will run from 10am–10pm through Labor Day.

King County Metro is also increasing service on bus routes to try to accommodate World Cup crowds, while adding specific shuttles to serve fans. 

What they're saying: "We're going to make it easy to get here — no cars required," Peter Tomozawa, CEO of the local World Cup organizing committee, said at a press conference Wednesday.

Tomozawa urged people attending a World Cup match to take transit and arrive hours earlier than they would for a Seahawks game, citing the global interest in the international tournament.

"The world is coming to Seattle — and that is an amazing opportunity for us as a state and as a city," Gov. Bob Ferguson told reporters Wednesday.

Between the lines: Ferry service isn't increasing — but Washington State Ferries plans to have two backup vessels ready in case of breakdowns, John Vezina, the agency's deputy assistant secretary, recently told TVW.

The ferry system will also boost staffing on vessels and at terminals to help keep things running smoothly, Vezina said.

What's next: Work on the Interstate 5 Ship Canal Bridge project will pause for the World Cup, with all lanes of the freeway reopening from June 8 to July 10.

Seattle braces for World Cup traffic and transit crunch

Fans will flood Seattle this summer, bringing street closures and crowded transit across the city.

Lumen Field is shown from above with grow lights on grass on the field, and the Seattle skyline behind it.

<figure><img alt="Lumen Field is shown from above with grow lamps on part of the pitch, with the Seattle skyline in the background." height="3868" id="1913833c-266d-47ea-8282-24a81d0403e2" src="https://images.axios.com/Z73fB9BVJohmzgnXVJagz_HUPWY=/2026/05/13/1778702180809.jpeg" width="5068"/><figcaption>Grass grows beneath lamps at Lumen Field, which is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches this summer. Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Streets will be closed and trains and ferries may be packed — but for Seattle locals, daily life must still go on when FIFA brings six <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/05/world-cup-match-seattle-schedule-2026" data-vars-content-id="02aae621-b063-4ca9-b090-75e8dd3e4d93" data-vars-headline="Seattle braces for World Cup traffic and transit crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/05/world-cup-match-seattle-schedule-2026" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> to Lumen Field this summer.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup frenzy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/29/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-city" data-vars-content-id="02aae621-b063-4ca9-b090-75e8dd3e4d93" data-vars-headline="Seattle braces for World Cup traffic and transit crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/29/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-city" target="_self">World Cup frenzy</a> — while exciting for soccer fans and city boosters alike — will require Seattleites to make a few changes to their routines.

News

Sports

Seattle officials are weighing a one-year moratorium on new large data centers — part of a broader debate over the energy demands of the digital economy and AI.

Why it matters: Seattle's growth as a tech hub has been driven in part by companies that rely heavily on data centers. But local leaders aren't sure they want large, power-hungry server farms within city limits.

Catch up quick: The push to temporarily block large-scale data centers comes after four companies recently approached Seattle City Light proposing five new facilities in the city.

Such data centers would require up to 369 megawatts of electricity per day — about one-third of the city's current average power usage.

Two of the companies have since withdrawn their proposals, but city officials are still looking at a year-long ban.

State of play: Microsoft, Amazon and other tech giants have spent years building data centers in places like Quincy, Washington, and Umatilla, Oregon, to support cloud computing and, increasingly, AI.

But Seattle has largely avoided hosting the kinds of sprawling, power-intensive server farms more commonly built in rural communities.

About 30 small data centers exist in Seattle, according to city estimates, but none approach the scale of the ones recently proposed.

What they're saying: "I don't see us having a permanent ban on all data centers," City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who is sponsoring the proposed moratorium, said during a meeting last week. "But I do think we need to have appropriate rules and regulations."

Those rules could deal with data centers' water and electricity use, as well as any noise, greenhouse-gas emissions or job impacts they might generate.

The city would work on developing the rules while the temporary ban was in place.

"This is not a knee-jerk reaction," City Council President Joy Hollingsworth said during last week's meeting, citing the effects of "mega data centers" on other cities around the country.

The other side: Joe Nguyen, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, told Axios he's concerned the city is pursuing data center policies that are "more symbolic than they are functional."

He argued restricting data centers could be viewed as "another attack on the technology industry" without meaningfully reducing energy demand, since data center projects could simply move elsewhere.

"It's not like they're going to go away," he said, noting Seattle is increasingly reliant on AI, cloud computing and other online services powered by data centers.

What's next: Lin is expected to formally propose the one-year moratorium in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Mayor Katie Wilson's administration says Seattle City Light is developing new policies for large-load data centers aimed at preventing infrastructure and energy costs from being passed on to residents.

Seattle weighs pause on large data centers

City leaders are weighing energy, water and other AI-related effects.

Animated illustration of a glowing data center server cabinet plugged into an electrical outlet on a wall. The cord unplugs and falls, and the servers stop glowing.

Seattle officials are weighing a one-year moratorium on new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large data centers " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/10/seattle-five-data-center-proposals-city-light-electricity-demand-review" data-vars-content-id="6a3e614b-0cf2-4fcd-93ed-2fcff7ebe484" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs pause on large data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/10/seattle-five-data-center-proposals-city-light-electricity-demand-review" target="_self">large data centers </a>— part of a broader debate over the energy demands of the digital economy and AI.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s growth as a tech hub has been driven in part by companies that rely heavily on data centers. But local leaders aren&#x27;t sure they want large, power-hungry server farms within city limits.

Business Brief

Data: Brewers Association; Chart: Melissa Santos/Axios

Washington's number of craft breweries declined slightly last year — part of a broader national slowdown in the once-booming industry.

Why it matters: The persistent downward trend is startling brewers and forcing many to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages, Axios' John Frank writes.

Zoom in: Washington had 438 craft breweries in 2025, down from 444 a year earlier, according to Brewers Association data released this month.

Yes, but: Those breweries still produced slightly more beer in 2025, with overall production rising about 1%.

The bottom line: Although Washington's craft breweries peaked in number in 2023, the state remains an industry leader.

The state still has the fourth-highest number of craft breweries and the ninth-highest number per capita.

Washington's craft brewery count dips slightly

Washington lost a few breweries last year, though overall beer production still rose slightly.

A column chart that shows operating craft breweries in Washington state each year from 2015 to 2025. Breweries rose from 305 in 2015 to a peak of 459 in 2023, then fell to 444 in 2024 and 438 in 2025. The overall trend is upward with a late pullback.

Washington&#x27;s number of craft breweries declined slightly last year — part of a broader national slowdown in the once-booming industry.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="persistent downward trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="7e7a0a5f-6990-4c28-8060-55b9a82c95fd" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s craft brewery count dips slightly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">persistent downward trend</a> is startling brewers and forcing many to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; John Frank writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" data-vars-content-id="7e7a0a5f-6990-4c28-8060-55b9a82c95fd" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s craft brewery count dips slightly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" target="_self">Axios&#x27; John Frank writes</a>.

Most Washington police officers have yet to complete required deescalation and cultural awareness training, according to a new state audit.

Why it matters: The training is required by Initiative 940, a police accountability law Washington voters approved in 2018.

The law's stated intent is to reduce officer uses of force and improve trust between police and communities.

By the numbers: Only 14% of new officers and 16% of veteran officers had finished the mandatory 40 hours of continuing training as of last May, the most recent data analyzed by the State Auditor's Office shows.

New officers must complete the training within three years of graduating from the police academy, while officers who graduated before May 2020 have until 2028 to comply.

What they're saying: "We found that, for the most part, officers in the state are not meeting the requirements established in state law," according to the audit, which was released last month.

At the current rate, about half of all officers will not complete the required patrol tactics training by 2028, the audit states.

Catch up quick: The training includes 24 hours of patrol tactics lessons, plus 16 hours of cultural awareness courses.

The cultural courses are mostly online and self-guided, covering topics such as mass incarceration and the intersection of race and policing.

Zoom in: Seattle's completion rates are stronger than the statewide average, though the department still has gaps.

About 93% of Seattle police officers had completed the required patrol tactics training as of last year, department spokesperson Patrick Michaud told Axios. SPD offered the three-day course through its own training division.

But only 534 of the department's 969 sworn officers — about 55% — had completed one or more cultural awareness courses, Michaud said. He did not specify how many officers had fully completed that requirement.

The other side: Steve Strachan, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, told Axios that smaller agencies struggle to send officers to training without compromising local police staffing.

A chief or sheriff "is not going to be able to say, 'I'm sorry no one can come to your 911 call because they are at state-mandated training,'" he said.

Strachan said he also thinks the audit may undercount actual training completion rates, and that some agencies may not be accurately reporting training to the state.

Yes, but: David Quinlan, a spokesperson for the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, said any unreported training would not "materially change" the overall results.

Quinlan said the agency, which develops the required officer training, "generally agrees" with the audit's findings and recommendations.

What's next: The audit recommends the Legislature convene a working group to address compliance and clarify consequences for agencies and officers that don't meet the requirements.

The group should also explore funding options to help agencies send officers to training, the audit says.

Most Washington police officers lag on required training

A new audit found many officers remain behind on deescalation and cultural awareness courses.

Illustration of police badge on the pendulum of a clock.

Most Washington police officers have yet to complete required deescalation and cultural awareness training, according to a new state audit.Why it matters: The training is required by Initiative 940, a police accountability law Washington voters approved in 2018.

Dimly lit bar interior with dark wood shelves full of bottles, warm hanging bulbs, and patrons seated at the counter chatting and smiling.

Canon prides itself on offering more than 4,000 spirits. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios

If you love spirits, your biggest problem when visiting Canon will be deciding what to order first.

Zoom in: The small bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill boasts a 186-page spirits list — more than 4,000 bottles — in addition to a renowned menu of creative cocktails.

The vibe: Inside, warm lights glint off an intricate tin-tiled ceiling, illuminating floor-to-ceiling shelves of sparkling bottles.

It's the perfect place to drop some money on an expensive dram of scotch —although they also offer plenty of $10 pours.

You'll find yourself in a celebratory mood as you clink glasses over the mahogany bar.

Blonde woman in a green jacket holds an amber whiskey glass in a dim bar. Warm light, brick wall, and bottles on shelves glow behind her.

Me sampling a Balvenie 15-year single barrel sherry cask scotch at Canon. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios

If you go: Canon is mostly for small groups of walk-ins. This allowed my mom and me to easily find a spot at 8pm on a Saturday last weekend — our preferred way of celebrating Mother's Day.

Yes, but: They enforce a strict four-person limit per group, which has attracted some negative reviews on Yelp.

Keep your party small and don't try to beat the system, and you'll be in for a great night.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm to at least midnight.

Canon in Seattle's Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover's paradise

Towering spirits shelves and inventive cocktails make Canon one of Seattle's most memorable bars.

Canon prides itself on offering a list of more than 4,000 spirits. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios

<figure><img alt="Dimly lit bar interior with dark wood shelves full of bottles, warm hanging bulbs, and patrons seated at the counter chatting and smiling." height="4284" id="ca2a8819-8ba6-41b2-b5f3-54721d0d75a0" src="https://images.axios.com/Q846c-2_2xcVovSslMsr3b_kV_E=/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg" width="5712" srcset="https://images.axios.com/iLlspoK_FlLBhlQ-43EkL9AeC00=/0x0:5712x4284/1920x1440/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/AFjrJl65iQWAS_M0aSSEXz3lM6I=/0x0:5712x4284/1600x1200/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/tozfqmgTPSu9Onff6jScbedJ9SI=/0x0:5712x4284/1366x1024/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/ee24QxQ_olhH_rR6ke_TqBv4WfE=/0x0:5712x4284/1024x768/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/v_nS2e6cM6SMf3irjWiNXZ13XkE=/0x0:5712x4284/768x576/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/bravxNj-yoU12kzYed8gOa3lmaY=/0x0:5712x4284/640x480/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/mOKAE6htfxKJk81uP5onjmmNrW4=/0x0:5712x4284/320x240/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Canon prides itself on offering more than 4,000 spirits. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>If you love spirits, your biggest problem when visiting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Canon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.canonseattle.com/" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.canonseattle.com/" target="_blank">Canon</a> will be deciding what to order first.Zoom in: The small bar in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill boasts a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="186-page spirits list" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/69790b3bdecabf0fde6a8b83/1769540411187/Captain%27s+List+Jan+2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/69790b3bdecabf0fde6a8b83/1769540411187/Captain%27s+List+Jan+2026.pdf" target="_blank">186-page spirits list</a> — more than 4,000 bottles — in addition to a renowned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="menu" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/6a02757ef2b4304f6ec0c5bf/1778546046984/Summer+2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/6a02757ef2b4304f6ec0c5bf/1778546046984/Summer+2026.pdf" target="_blank">menu</a> of creative <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cocktails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/happy-hour-the-tramp-cocktail-from-seattles-canon-bar" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/happy-hour-the-tramp-cocktail-from-seattles-canon-bar" target="_blank">cocktails</a>.

Melissa Santos

Featured stories

Washington's craft brewery count dips slightly

Seattle weighs pause on large data centers

Canon in Seattle's Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover's paradise

Seattle braces for World Cup traffic and transit crunch

Most Washington police officers lag on required training