FIFA Men's World Cup: Sounders, Reign will host ‘floating stage'
Watching matches during the FIFA Men's World Cup along the revitalized Seattle waterfront always seemed like an obvious location and attraction for residents and visitors alike.
But what about on the water? To a degree, that's a question that was asked by the Sounders and Reign and about to be answered.
The two professional clubs announced Wednesday plans to have a soccer-themed barge docked alongside Waterfront Park at Pier 62 during the upcoming World Cup. The barge will feature a functional mini-pitch, screens to watch matches during the tournament and other soccer-related activations in a theater-type setting with shipping containers lining the sides.
Getting on the barge won't be free, for the most part. While there will be events tied to the RAVE Foundation and some youth events on the barge, it will primarily be a premium ticketed space that can accommodate around 500 people. Fans can gain access to "ticketed events and premium watch parties," through the "Seattle Soccer Celebration" site on SoundersFC.com that is now live.
"This is a defining moment for our city and our clubs. ‘Seattle Soccer Celebration' is more than a fan experience, it's a global expression of who we are and what we believe sport can do," Sounders and Reign president of business operations Hugh Weber said in a statement. "By bringing the world's game onto Elliott Bay, we're creating something never seen before while delivering on a promise to our community. This is Seattle showing how a city, a waterfront and two clubs can come together to build something that resonates far beyond the tournament."
The soccer-themed vessel on Elliott Bay is part of the free public fan zone at Waterfront Park on Pier 62 being put on in partnership between the Sounders, Reign and the Friends of Waterfront Park, and listed by Seattle's World Cup local organizing committee as one of four fan locations around the city during the tournament. The others are at Seattle Center, Pacific Place and Victory Hall across from T-Mobile Park.
But none of the other three will have a massive barge parked alongside, which will be open or have programing for most of the 26 days between the start of the tournament on June 11 and the last match played at Lumen Field on July 6. The scope of the activation is believed to be the largest by any MLS or NWSL organization tied to the World Cup and along with the free events at Pier 62 is expected to host more than 100,000 fans during the course of the tournament.
The barge measures 286 feet by 76 feet and plans have been in the works by the Sounders and Reign for around two years in bringing the project to fruition.
The mini-pitch that will be installed on the barge also serves as a symbolic milestone for the RAVE Foundation. The organization helped construct 52 free mini-pitches around the state in the buildup to the World Cup after doubling the initial plans of building 26 for 2026.
"The ‘52 Fields' initiative is about creating access, joy and opportunity for every child, in every community. To see that journey culminate in a symbolic 52nd field on the water, in front of the world, is incredibly powerful," said Ashley Fosberg, chief impact and fan engagement officer for the Sounders and Reign.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM.