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World Cup brought out Seattle's best

Sold-out crowds, packed fan festivals and glowing reviews gave Seattle a global moment beyond soccer.

News

Seattle&#x27;s biggest World Cup win wasn&#x27;t on the pitch. It was showing visitors — and maybe even Seattleites — what this city looks like at its best.Why it matters: For three weeks, Seattle has been a global gathering place, full of unity and joy, even as much of the world feels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly divided" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" data-vars-content-id="e0bf5410-ed99-4850-9e55-0bffd7db2464" data-vars-headline="World Cup brought out Seattle&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" target="_self">increasingly divided</a>.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington

The latest layoffs affect hundreds of workers in Redmond and elsewhere. More changes may be ahead.

Business

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs — roughly 2% of its global workforce — including hundreds of jobs in Washington state.Why it matters: Layoffs at the Redmond-based company, one of the Seattle area&#x27;s largest employers, will add to the steady stream of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tech job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" data-vars-content-id="30d14f0a-eb2f-4368-a2e1-22d985174c53" data-vars-headline="Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" target="_self">tech job losses</a> that have rolled across the Puget Sound region since last year.

Hidden vacation costs can wreck a travel budget

Baggage fees, parking and meals can quietly inflate trip costs. Here's how to plan ahead.

Airfare and hotel rates may grab the headlines, but it&#x27;s often the smaller expenses — baggage fees, parking, meals and rideshares — that push a vacation over budget.The big picture: Travel costs are 11% higher than a year ago, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NerdWallet&#x27;s Travel Price Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/travel-price-tracker" data-vars-content-id="c72f8690-45fc-4e7e-9185-c1f466689145" data-vars-headline="Hidden vacation costs can wreck a travel budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/travel-price-tracker" target="_blank">NerdWallet&#x27;s Travel Price Index</a>.

Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd

Thousands of U.S. fans packed downtown Seattle before the city's final World Cup match.

Sports

The U.S. men&#x27;s World Cup run ended Monday as Belgium defeated the Americans 4-1 before a sellout crowd in Seattle.The big picture: The match was Seattle&#x27;s sixth and final FIFA World Cup game, capping three weeks that saw the city emerge as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top host site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" data-vars-content-id="511a569e-5cd8-499d-a4b9-7a7791a33e1e" data-vars-headline="Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" target="_self">top host site</a>.

At Seattle World Cup matches, it's $13.50 for a pretzel

Beer is $18 and pretzels are $13.50 at Seattle World Cup matches, though some host cities charge even more.

Fans attending World Cup matches in Seattle can expect to pay $18 for a beer — but that&#x27;s not even the steepest stadium price out there.The big picture: Among the 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup matches this year, the prices for food and drinks vary widely.

Seattle thrust into World Cup travel dispute

Both Iran and Egypt say World Cup travel decisions put their teams at a disadvantage.

A brief soccer brouhaha erupted this week over how much time Iran and Egypt could spend in Seattle ahead of their Friday faceoff, though both teams have now been granted extra time in the city.Why it matters: The back-and-forth briefly put Seattle at the center of a World Cup travel controversy, with both teams publicly arguing that tournament travel arrangements created an unfair competitive burden, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KING 5 reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.king5.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/dhs-eases-rules-for-iran-ahead-of-seattle-match/281-b0b24e8b-2e7e-4726-8b51-05df288fcf53" data-vars-content-id="b98285f0-18cb-4577-a683-e61e5523dd05" data-vars-headline="Seattle thrust into World Cup travel dispute" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.king5.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/dhs-eases-rules-for-iran-ahead-of-seattle-match/281-b0b24e8b-2e7e-4726-8b51-05df288fcf53" target="_blank">KING 5 reported</a>.

Seattle ramps up World Cup security with cameras

Seattle police also plan to deploy hundreds of officers throughout the city.

Seattle has ramped up security measures ahead of this summer&#x27;s World Cup matches, including turning on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contentious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/seattle-surveillance-technology-cameras-license-plates-cctv" data-vars-content-id="4f7cc387-2ce8-45b8-a3f0-bf974471a970" data-vars-headline="Seattle ramps up World Cup security with cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/14/seattle-surveillance-technology-cameras-license-plates-cctv" target="_self">contentious</a> closed-circuit TV cameras near the stadiums.Why it matters: As hundreds of thousands of visitors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/12/13/world-cup-929-million-soccer" data-vars-content-id="4f7cc387-2ce8-45b8-a3f0-bf974471a970" data-vars-headline="Seattle ramps up World Cup security with cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/12/13/world-cup-929-million-soccer" target="_self">flood</a> the Emerald City for the tournament, the city is trying to address potential safety issues that might arise.<ul><li>The first of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="six matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/05/world-cup-match-seattle-schedule-2026" data-vars-content-id="4f7cc387-2ce8-45b8-a3f0-bf974471a970" data-vars-headline="Seattle ramps up World Cup security with cameras" 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">six matches</a> hosted in Seattle kicks off Monday at noon, with Belgium playing Egypt.</li></ul>

Seattle's World Cup party starts now

A floating mini-pitch joins free downtown fan zones as Seattle's monthlong celebration begins.

Seattle won&#x27;t host its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" data-vars-content-id="c9542fda-7cf5-49de-85aa-4695736e8a4c" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s World Cup party starts now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> match until Monday, but the city&#x27;s monthlong soccer celebration starts now.The big picture: You don&#x27;t need a ticket to be part of the fun: Seattle organizers opted to replace the traditional single FIFA fan festival being used in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other World Cup cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/biggest-selection-of-host-city-fan-events-in-world-cup-history-to-ignite-celebrations" data-vars-content-id="c9542fda-7cf5-49de-85aa-4695736e8a4c" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s World Cup party starts now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/biggest-selection-of-host-city-fan-events-in-world-cup-history-to-ignite-celebrations" target="_blank">other World Cup cities</a> with a network of free fan zones and watch parties stretching across downtown.

Seattle gets a World Cup star to cheer for

Cristian Roldan's U.S. roster spot gives Seattle fans a hometown connection to the tournament.

Seattle Sounders star Cristian Roldan will give local fans a hometown reason to cheer during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" data-vars-content-id="306b7de2-6133-4af9-a1d4-82b9eccec164" data-vars-headline="Seattle gets a World Cup star to cheer for" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/2026-world-cup-casual-fan-guide" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roldan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0JiQEFqDs/" data-vars-content-id="306b7de2-6133-4af9-a1d4-82b9eccec164" data-vars-headline="Seattle gets a World Cup star to cheer for" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0JiQEFqDs/" target="_blank">Roldan</a> was named to the U.S. Men&#x27;s National Team&#x27;s final 26-player World Cup roster last week.

Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools

Cities are still adding courts, but gardens, disc golf and fitness zones are gaining ground.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="e4a331e4-c7ec-4c35-a0d1-3180be11a898" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball craze</a> — so hot during the pandemic and immediately afterward — may be cooling off.The big picture: The number of pickleball courts across the 100 most populous U.S. cities increased just 4% from 2025 to 2026. That&#x27;s compared with 13% growth from 2024 to 2025 and 14% from 2023 to 2024.

Seattle may have found its newest baseball crush

The Mariners' new 20-year-old phenom hit a three-run homer and woke up T-Mobile Park.

<figure><img alt="A baseball player watches the ball after the swing. " height="3565" id="3e214095-be77-4b06-8767-c42406f31522" src="https://images.axios.com/uFHPfPB9_MRMfy-85PqtRA4y0TQ=/2026/05/19/1779214105665.jpg" width="5348"/><figcaption>The Colt effect. Photo: Maddy Grassy/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Three days in, and Colt Emerson is already looking like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mariners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/25/seattle-mariners-winning-streak-baseball-playoffs-world-series" data-vars-content-id="7010c0ec-2ba0-4f79-8738-28265b2757b6" data-vars-headline="Seattle may have found its newest baseball crush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/25/seattle-mariners-winning-streak-baseball-playoffs-world-series" target="_self">Mariners</a>&#x27; next fan obsession.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a frustratingly flat start to a season for a team that entered 2026 with legitimate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Series expectations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/26/seattle-mariners-2026-opening-day-roster-world-series-analysis" data-vars-content-id="7010c0ec-2ba0-4f79-8738-28265b2757b6" data-vars-headline="Seattle may have found its newest baseball crush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/26/seattle-mariners-2026-opening-day-roster-world-series-analysis" target="_self">World Series expectations</a>.

Seattle braces for World Cup traffic and transit crunch

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

<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.

Axios Miami

A bar chart that compares American beer prices at U.S. World Cup stadiums for the smallest draft size, 16 to 20 ounces. Prices range from $5 in Atlanta to $24.50 in San Francisco. Most cities cluster between $14.05 in Houston and $18.58 in Philadelphia, with West Coast venues higher.

Sports 🏅

Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd

World Cup brought out Seattle's best

At Seattle World Cup matches, it's $13.50 for a pretzel

Seattle shines as Bosnia tops Qatar

Seattle thrust into World Cup travel dispute