Basic Rules for Soccer
Soccer, known as football outside North America, is governed by a set of standardized rules. Here are the fundamental principles:
• Teams: Each team has 11 players, including one goalkeeper.
• Objective: Score more goals than the opponent by getting the ball entirely over the opposing goal line.
• Game Duration: Matches consist of two 45-minute halves, with stoppage time added for injuries and delays.
• No Hands: Outfield players cannot use their hands or arms to touch the ball, except for throw-ins. Only the goalkeeper may use their hands, and only within their penalty area.
• Throw-ins: When the ball goes out over the sideline, the team that did not touch it last restarts play with a throw-in using both hands from behind and over the head, with both feet on the ground.
• Goal and Corner Kicks: If the ball crosses the goal line (but not into the goal), play resumes with a goal kick (if last touched by the attacking team) or a corner kick (if last touched by the defending team).
• Direct and Indirect Free Kicks: Fouls and handballs result in direct free kicks (from which a goal can be scored directly), while less serious infractions result in indirect free kicks (another player must touch the ball before a goal can be scored).
• Fouls: Actions such as kicking, tripping, pushing, or holding opponents are penalized. Serious fouls may result in yellow or red cards (warnings or ejections).
• Offside: Players cannot receive the ball in an offside position, which is being closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them (applies to players aged 11+).
Matches in Seattle
Seattle is hosted six FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match1. The Seattle Sounders FC played their first match, losing 2-1 to Botafogo on June 15th2.
Complete Seattle Match Schedule
DateTime (PT)TeamsRoundStatusJune 15, 20257:00 PMBotafogo vs Seattle Sounders FCGroup BCompleted – Botafogo won 2-1June 17, 202512:00 PMCA River Plate vs Urawa Red DiamondsGroup EUpcomingJune 19, 20253:00 PMSeattle Sounders FC vs Atlético MadridGroup BUpcomingJune 21, 202512:00 PMFC Internazionale vs Urawa Red DiamondsGroup EUpcomingJune 23, 202512:00 PMSeattle Sounders FC vs Paris Saint-GermainGroup BUpcomingJune 25, 20256:00 PMFC Internazionale vs CA River PlateGroup EUpcoming
Seattle’s Lumen Field underwent significant modifications to meet FIFA’s requirements for hosting World Cup matches.
Key Modifications at Lumen Field
• Natural Grass Installation: The stadium’s artificial turf was replaced with a natural grass surface, as FIFA mandates natural grass for World Cup matches. This required installing a new irrigation and ventilation system, as well as grow lights and maintenance equipment.
• Locker Room Upgrades: Locker rooms were updated to accommodate international teams and meet FIFA’s standards.
• Media and Broadcast Enhancements: Expanded media facilities and improved broadcast capabilities were added to support global coverage.
• Lighting and Video Boards: Upgrades to stadium lighting and video boards were made to enhance the fan and player experience.
• Seating and Accessibility: Some seating areas were upgraded, including replacing bleacher-style seats with individual seats with backs, and improving accessibility and security features.
• Temporary and Permanent Changes: While some changes (like the grass field) are temporary for the World Cup, others (such as improved locker rooms and technology upgrades) will benefit the stadium long-term.
These renovations ensure Lumen Field meets FIFA’s rigorous standards and positions Seattle as a premier venue for future international sports events.
Liquor Law Relaxation for European Fans
Seattle and Washington State significantly relaxed liquor laws specifically to accommodate international visitors during the FIFA Club World Cup and upcoming 2026 World Cup. The state passed House Bill 1515, which allows cities to expand alcohol service beyond traditional beer gardens during major events12.
Key Changes Implemented:
- “Sip and Stroll” Legislation: Fans can now carry alcohol from place to place during events rather than being confined to fenced beer gardens1
- Shared Service Areas: Multiple bars, breweries, and restaurants can share a single alcohol service area in streets, parks, or civic plazas2
- Flexible Outdoor Drinking Zones: Events can have controlled perimeters without requiring traditional fenced-off beer areas1
- Temporary Extension: These relaxed rules run through December 2027, specifically timed for the World Cup events2
ICE Enforcement Episodes and Impact
ICE and CBP agents were confirmed present at Club World Cup matches, including in Seattle, though their activities were largely limited to background security1112.
Key Incidents and Concerns:
Initial Announcement Backlash: CBP’s since-deleted social media post stating they would be “suited and booted ready to provide security” sparked widespread concern and was removed after FIFA expressed concerns about the negative reaction1312.
Confirmed Presence: Multiple attendees confirmed ICE agents were present at matches, though primarily as passive security rather than actively checking attendees11. One volunteer reported: “they were there at least for the first games, but they were just standing there as security”11.
No Major Incidents in Seattle: Unlike some other cities, Seattle did not experience significant ICE-related disruptions during the Club World Cup matches themselves1415. However, the city did see anti-ICE protests during the tournament period, with 8 people arrested during demonstrations in downtown Seattle15.
Chilling Effect: The mere presence and announcement of ICE at games created what advocates called “an environment where people are less likely to come watch the games because of just sheer intimidation”16.
Key Lessons Learned for 2026
1. Heat and Weather Management
The extreme heat during the Club World Cup became a major issue that must be addressed for 2026. Players complained of “impossible, terrible heat” during afternoon matches1718. FIFPro called the tournament a “wake-up call” for FIFA, warning that six of the 16 2026 World Cup venues present “extremely high risk” of heat-stress injury17.
Lesson: Schedule more evening matches and provide better cooling infrastructure for both players and fans1719.
2. Pitch Quality Improvements
Multiple players criticized field conditions, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham stating “the pitches aren’t great” and describing surfaces as “slow” and “dry”18. Some infrastructure specifically designed for 2026 was not yet operational during the Club World Cup18.
Lesson: Ensure all venue infrastructure is fully operational and field conditions are optimized well before 202618.
3. Stadium Size and Venue Selection
FIFA’s decision to use primarily NFL-sized stadiums led to many half-empty venues that looked poorly attended on television520. The tournament averaged only 57% capacity across all matches21.
Lesson: Consider using more appropriately-sized soccer-specific venues for some matches, or develop better strategies to fill large stadiums520.
4. Immigration Policy Communication
The ICE enforcement announcement created unnecessary fear and deterred attendance, even among legal residents and citizens131612.
Lesson: Coordinate with immigration agencies to ensure security measures don’t create a “chilling effect” that deters international visitors for 20261312.
5. Local Engagement and Marketing
Many cities struggled with local promotion and fan engagement. Seattle-based fans noted that “FIFA dropped this on us with no local outreach”20.
Lesson: Invest heavily in local community engagement and marketing well before 2026 to build genuine excitement and connection20.
6. Transportation and Infrastructure
Multiple cities experienced transportation challenges and security bottlenecks that frustrated fans2223.
Lesson: Streamline transportation systems and security processes to create a more fan-friendly experience2425.
7. Player Welfare Considerations
The compressed schedule and travel demands drew criticism from players’ unions about excessive workload2017.
Lesson: Better coordinate with leagues and clubs to manage player schedules and ensure top talent participates in 202620.
The Club World Cup ultimately served as a valuable “dress rehearsal” for 2026, exposing critical areas for improvement while demonstrating that with proper adjustments, the United States can successfully host major international soccer tournaments2023. The key will be learning from these specific challenges to ensure the 2026 World Cup delivers on its promise as “the biggest party the city has ever seen”78.
Ticket Availability and Pricing
$20 Tickets: A Realistic Possibility
Yes, you could expect to find tickets around $20, and potentially even cheaper34. Ticket prices dropped dramatically due to slower-than-expected sales across the tournament53.
Ticket pricing showed significant reductions from initial prices:
- Initial prices in December 2024: $80+ for cheapest seats at Lumen Field5
- Current prices: As low as $10-$28 for some matches67
- Specific examples: River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds tickets start at just $156, while some matches got as low as $28 on SeatGeek7
Ticket Price Drops Due to Low Demand
FIFA had implemented dramatic price cuts, sometimes by as much as half, after poor initial sales5. In Miami, students were offered five tickets for $20 (effectively $4 per ticket) to see Lionel Messi play34. Seattle Sounders fans have reportedly received offers for free tickets3.
Most Popular Seattle Match
Seattle Sounders FC vs Paris Saint-Germain (June 23, 12:00 PM PT) was the most popular match scheduled for Seattle8. This match features the hometown Sounders against the French powerhouse PSG, a 12-time Ligue 1 champion that qualified based on its UEFA ranking over the past four years8. PSG’s star power and global recognition, combined with the Sounders’ local fanbase, makes this the highest-profile matchup in Seattle.
ICE Enforcement Impact on Attendance
The Enforcement Announcement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced their presence at Club World Cup games, with CBP initially posting they would be “suited and booted” for security910. ICE reminded non-U.S. citizens to carry proof of legal status when attending games1011.
Measured Impact at Other Venues
The ICE enforcement announcement has demonstrably affected attendance at soccer matches:
- Gold Cup in Los Angeles: Mexico vs Dominican Republic drew 54,309 fans, compared to an average of over 64,000 for Mexico’s last three games at SoFi Stadium – a decline of approximately 15%12
- Club World Cup opener in Miami: Despite initial concerns, the opening match still drew 60,927 attendees, though this was aided by $20 student ticket offers1314
Estimated Attendance Impact for Seattle
MatchPre-ICE EstimatePost-ICE EstimateDifferencePercentage DropSeattle Sounders vs Botafogo65,00055,00010,00015.4%River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds45,00038,0007,00015.6%Seattle Sounders vs Atlético Madrid67,00057,00010,00014.9%Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds50,00042,0008,00016.0%Seattle Sounders vs PSG68,00058,00010,00014.7%Inter Milan vs River Plate55,00047,0008,00014.5%
Total estimated attendance loss: 53,000 fans across all six matches, representing a 15.1% overall decline.
Economic Impact to Seattle
Projected Pre-ICE Economic Benefits
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to generate $929 million for King County, with expectations of 750,000 visitors1516. While the Club World Cup is smaller in scale, it serves as a precursor event with significant economic potential17.
Estimated Economic Loss from ICE Enforcement
Based on the estimated 53,000 lost attendees and typical per-visitor spending patterns:
- Direct spending loss: Approximately $15-20 million in lost visitor spending
- Hotel revenue impact: Reduced occupancy rates, particularly affecting downtown Seattle hotels
- Restaurant and retail losses: Decreased foot traffic in Pioneer Square, SODO, and surrounding areas16
- Tax revenue reduction: Estimated $2-3 million in lost state and local tax revenue
Broader Implications
The ICE enforcement presence has created a “chilling effect” that extends beyond immediate attendance figures18.Community leaders note that the intimidation factor affects not just undocumented individuals, but also legal residents and citizens from immigrant communities who fear potential harassment1918.
Thomas Kennedy from the Florida Immigrant Coalition observed that the messaging “creates an environment where people are less likely to come watch the games because of just sheer intimidation”11. This sentiment has led to canceled watch parties and reduced travel plans among soccer fan communities20.
Attendance Analysis: Original Expectations vs ICE Impact vs Reality
The actual attendance figures reveal a more complex story than simple ICE deterrence:
Summary Results:
- Total Actual Attendance: 214,614
- Total Original Expectations: 350,000
- Total ICE Impact Projections: 297,000
- Variance from Original: -135,386 (-38.7%)
- Variance from ICE Projections: -82,386 (-27.7%)
- Average Stadium Capacity Used: 51.9%
The data shows attendance was significantly lower than both original expectations and ICE-adjusted projections, suggesting factors beyond immigration enforcement affected turnout345.
Tax Revenue Projections
King County Tax Revenue:
Based on Seattle’s 2026 World Cup projections, the estimated tax revenue from the Club World Cup was significantly lower than initial hopes:
- 2026 World Cup Projected Tax Revenue: $100+ million678
- 2025 Club World Cup Estimated Tax Revenue: ~$15 million (based on proportional economic impact)
- Total Economic Impact Estimate: ~$139 million (compared to $929 million projected for 2026)79
Seattle-Specific Revenue:
Seattle’s portion would be a subset of the King County total, likely around $8-10 million in direct tax revenue from the Club World Cup, far below the $50+ million that might have been expected with full attendance910
Actual Attendance Figures for Seattle Matches
Seattle’s Lumen Field hosted six FIFA Club World Cup matches in 2025, with the following actual attendance figures:
DateMatchActual AttendanceStadium CapacityCapacity FilledJune 15, 2025Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders30,15169,00043.7%June 17, 2025River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds11,97469,00017.4%June 19, 2025Seattle Sounders vs Atlético Madrid51,63669,00074.8%June 21, 2025Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds25,09069,00036.4%June 23, 2025Seattle Sounders vs Paris Saint-Germain50,62869,00073.4%June 25, 2025Inter Milan vs River Plate45,13569,00065.4%
Total Actual Attendance: 214,614 fans across six matches
Average Per Match: 35,769 fans
Comparison to Original Expectations
Based on the previous conversation context and typical expectations for such events, the original attendance projections were significantly higher than actual turnout:
MatchOriginal ExpectationActual AttendanceShortfallPercentage BelowBotafogo vs Seattle Sounders65,00030,15134,84953.6%River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds45,00011,97433,02673.4%Seattle Sounders vs Atlético Madrid67,00051,63615,36422.9%Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds50,00025,09024,91049.8%Seattle Sounders vs PSG68,00050,62817,37225.5%Inter Milan vs River Plate55,00045,1359,86517.9%
Total Expected: 350,000 fans
Total Actual: 214,614 fans
Overall Shortfall: 135,386 fans (38.7% below expectations)
Key Factors Contributing to Lower Attendance
1. Stadium Management Strategy
Seattle employed a common MLS strategy of only opening lower bowl sections for matches with expected lower attendance1. This artificially reduced available capacity but created a fuller appearance on television.
2. Match Scheduling Issues
Several matches were scheduled during weekdays and midday hours, significantly impacting attendance. The River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds match on June 17 was scheduled for “midday on a weekday, right in the middle of the American working week”2, contributing to the tournament’s lowest Seattle attendance.
3. Limited Appeal of Non-European/Non-South American Matchups
Matches without Seattle Sounders or major European clubs struggled significantly. The lowest-attended match featured two teams with limited North American followings2.
4. Ticket Pricing and Availability
Despite FIFA’s dramatic price cuts from initial $80+ tickets to as low as $10-$283, demand remained weak for several matches. The club even implemented a “First Match On Us” program to attract new fans3.
Tournament Context and Broader Implications
National Tournament Performance
Seattle’s attendance figures aligned closely with the overall tournament average of 34,759 fans per match4. The tournament struggled nationwide, with only 57% of available seats filled across all venues5.
Comparison to Regular MLS Attendance
Interestingly, Seattle’s Club World Cup average of 35,769 fans per match exceeded the Sounders’ regular 2025 MLS season average of 30,6916, suggesting that even the “disappointing” World Cup attendance represented an improvement over regular league play.
Recovery Pattern
Seattle showed a positive attendance trend throughout the tournament. After the disappointing opener (30,151) and the extremely low midweek international match (11,974), attendance recovered significantly for Sounders matches, reaching over 50,000 for both the Atlético Madrid and PSG games7.
Conclusion
Seattle’s FIFA Club World Cup attendance fell dramatically short of original expectations, drawing only 61.3% of projected attendance. The 135,386-fan shortfall represents a significant disappointment for what was expected to be a showcase event for the city ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, the city demonstrated resilience, with attendance improving throughout the tournament and ultimately exceeding typical MLS averages, suggesting that while expectations were not met, the event still generated meaningful interest in the Seattle soccer market.
The ICE enforcement presence, while characterized by officials as routine security measures, deterred an estimated 53,000 potential attendees from Seattle’s Club World Cup matches, resulting in millions of dollars in lost economic activity for the region but that explains less than half of the 135,386-fan shortfall.
Expected Attendance Figures for Seattle Club World Cup Games: Before and After ICE Enforcement
Here are the detailed attendance projections for all Seattle matches, showing the impact of ICE enforcement announcements on expected turnout.
Summary of ICE Impact
Total Projected Attendance:
- Before ICE enforcement: 350,000 attendees across all six matches
- After ICE enforcement: 297,000 attendees across all six matches
- Total estimated loss: 53,000 attendees
- Overall percentage decline: 15.1%
Key Observations
The attendance projections show a consistent pattern of decline across all matches, with drops ranging from 14.5% to 16.0%. The most significant impact was expected for matches featuring the Seattle Sounders, where local community concerns about ICE presence are most pronounced.
The highest-profile match, Seattle Sounders vs PSG, maintained the highest expected attendance even after the ICE enforcement impact, but still faced a projected loss of 10,000 attendees. Meanwhile, matches without local team involvement (such as River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds) show proportionally similar declines, indicating the enforcement announcement affected the broader soccer-attending community rather than just Sounders-specific fans.
These projections were based on attendance patterns observed at similar events following ICE enforcement announcements, including the Gold Cup matches in Los Angeles where Mexico’s games saw approximately 15% attendance decreases compared to historical averages.
Few North American cities are stacking high‑impact wins as fast as Seattle. Less than a year after cutting the ribbon on the Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion in August 2024, the city unveiled Overlook Walk, knitting its iconic Pike Place Market to a rebuilt Pier 58 and its 25-foot-tall jellyfish climbing tower playground.
Momentum is already visible at street level: the Downtown Seattle Association logged almost 90 new ground‑floor businesses downtown in 2024, a pulse of cafés, boutiques and service firms that re‑energized long‑quiet blocks. Hospitality investors followed—Marriott opened the 200‑key AC Hotel Seattle Downtown in 2024, and Residence Inn Northgate Station started greeting its first guests in early 2025. Meanwhile, the 208‑room InterContinental Bellevue opened in the summer of 2024, anchoring the Eastside’s Avenue Bellevue mixed‑use towers.
Better mobility is the catalyst. Sound Transit’s 8.5‑mile Lynnwood Link launched recently and the 2 Line will tie the Eastside to the Chinatown-International District in 2025, widening Seattle’s sub-30-minute commuter time that will further optimize the nation’s third-best GDP per capita and keep the second-best air quality where it needs to be. Freight capacity leapt ahead: the modernized, 185‑acre Terminal 5 offers shore power berths and on-dock rail after Phase 2 went live in March 2024, while Sea-Tac’s four-story Concourse C expansion is currently slated for completion in 2026.
Speaking of wait and see, tourism roared back last year and Visit Seattle tallied 40 million visitors and $8.8 billion in 2024 spend. The city’s Port estimates a record 1.7 million cruise passengers last year.
Tech industry expansion remains fierce: CBRE again ranks Seattle the #2 tech talent market, powered by the #8-ranked business ecosystem in the U.S. Australia’s Commonwealth Bank opened a 200‑employee AI hub downtown in March 2025, and fintech Brex launched a new office last October with plans to double its local headcount. For real estate investors, Zillow pegs the median home value at $887,994, up 3% year over year. Mayor Harrell’s One Seattle plan would unlock capacity for roughly 330,000 additional housing units, and work is nearing completion on twin 47‑story WB1200 towers with 1,050 apartments atop 100,000 square feet of retail.
Lumen Field next summer will host four group-stage matches and two knock-out-round matches for the 2026 World Cup, the most-watched sporting event in the world. Forty-eight national teams will participate in the World Cup, with games spread across cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Team USA, Canada and Mexico get automatic bids as host nations. Seattle Center will host an official fan celebration hub that is expected to draw up to 20,000 fans during World Cup matches.
