About 3,000 people attended first Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone. More matches this week
With Seattle entering the full swing of World Cup action as one of the 16 North American host cities, soccer fervor has spread throughout Washington state, including in Thurston County.
Friday was the first Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone, where locals gathered at Port Plaza to watch the USA v. Australia game. Thurston County’s inaugural celebration had an “electric atmosphere,” according to event project manager and coordinator Jennie Foglia-Jones.
The Olympia waterfront saw around 3,000 fans – almost reaching the fan zone’s maximum capacity.
“Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, it’s the community coming together and celebrating something together,” Foglia-Jones said. “It’s really all about coming together and experiencing this once in a generation thing that’s happening here in our community.”
The Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone represents one of nine in the state, designated by local organizing committee Seattle FIFA World Cup26, which aims to carry the celebration beyond the stadium and to communities throughout Washington.
The Thurston Chamber of Commerce organized the local zone on behalf of the county, the Port of Olympia, and cities Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. For Foglia-Jones, the Port Plaza event represents local collaboration at its core.
But some residents on social media criticized the fan zone, citing hour-long entrance lines and questioning the admission cost. Olympia-Lacey is the only fan zone in the state charging an entrance fee.
General admission tickets cost $10 and VIP passes – which include perks like priority entry, two beverages, swag, snacks, and access to exclusive areas – cost $75. Children under the age of 12 can enter free of charge.
According to Foglia-Jones, the state’s nine fan zones had to source their own event funding. For Olympia-Lacey, these dollars came from a combination of public tourism grants and private organizations.
“I don’t know what the other locations did to be able to get funding,” Foglia-Jones said. “But we all had to go out and get our own funding, and that’s why we’re charging, just to help offset the cost.”
Even with this financing, a funding deficit remained for the event, and ticket prices emerged in an attempt to close that gap. But if sales don’t compensate for the net cost of the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone, Foglia-Jones said, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce will foot the bill.
Foglia-Jones said fan zone organizers learned from Friday, recognizing that entry lines were long and security checkpoints were slow. Organizers have implemented adjustments to address concerns and smooth the coming week’s events.
Accessing the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone this week
Fan Zone tickets can be purchased in advance online, which Foglia-Jones recommends, or on site.
The local fan zone will activate for this week’s World Cup matches at the following times:
- Wednesday, June 24: Canada vs. Switzerland from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursday, June 25: USA vs. Turkey from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday, June 26: Spain vs. Uruguay and Egypt vs. Iran from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m
Wednesday will offer half-price tickets, Foglia-Jones said, due to the midday time slot and anticipated smaller crowds.
Foglia-Jones estimates that Thursday’s Fan Zone will see around 2,000 attendees. While any tickets purchased in advance will be honored at entrance gates, on-site tickets may stop being sold as attendance numbers climb, she said.
The fan zone will offer food and beverage vendors, although outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed inside. The event also features a free hydration station.
Rolling carts and coolers are not permitted, and the fan zone is a weapon-free and smoke-free area. Attendees can anticipate bag checks and security upon entrance.
Parking is limited in the area around the fan zone. Fare-free rides are available on Intercity Transit to the Olympia Transit Center, along with a free shuttle to Port Plaza and a nearby bike valet.
More information about the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone is available here.