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JUNE 10, 2026

VOL. 107, NO. 24

OMG! OK, IT’S Seattle to Activate Stadium District HAPPENING. Cameras During World Cup EVERYBODY STAY CALM. by Hype Coordinator Patrick Michaud

ello, Seattle. Hello World! My name is Patrick Michaud and I have the greatest job title in the history of law enforcement: SPD Hype Coordinator. I bestowed this title on myself approximately 15 weeks ago when my supervisor realized that someone needed to manage the intersection of ‘extreme excitement about football’ and ‘public safety communications’. Apparently, I’m that person.

Staff Report

eattle will activate closedcircuit television cameras near the city’s stadiums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Mayor Katie Wilson said police, federal law enforcement and security partners identified “general but credible threats” tied to the tournament. The decision, announced June 5, marks a reversal from Wilson’s earlier position

WELCOME TO YOUR OFFICIAL SPD GUIDE TO THE WORLD CUP 2026 IN SEATTLE “Football” vs Football I’m as confused as you are. Let’s break it down. Scoring Football: A team of 11 attempts to move a ball down a 100-yard field to score 6 points. “Football”: A team of 11 attempts to move a ball down a 115-yard-long field to score a single point. Offsides Football: A person crosses an imaginary line before play starts. “Football”: A person crosses an imaginary line while play is underway

that the Stadium District cameras would remain paused unless a credible threat emerged while the city reviewed privacy and data governance policies for its public safety technology program. Seattle will host six World Cup matches beginning June 15 at Seattle Stadium, the temporary FIFA name for Lumen Field. The games are expected to bring large crowds to the Stadium District, Pioneer

Square, SODO, downtown, transit corridors and official fan celebration sites. In her statement, Wilson said she received an updated briefing from the Seattle Police Department and the FBI on the global and local threat environment. “The breadth and depth of intelligence gathering that informed the briefing identified general but credible threats to safety and security during the games,” Wilson said. “While not unexpected given an event of this magnitude, this information has persuaded our law enforcement, emergency management, and FIFA security partners that we should be operating at a heightened risk level.” Wilson said the cameras will be available to help the city quickly establish situational awareness near the stadiums if needed. The mayor also acknowledged concerns about privacy,

civil liberties and public safety technology, saying she shares those values and that the city will continue refining policies and protections for the video data captured by the cameras. The decision follows public pressure from Seattle City Council members, especially District 7 Councilmember Bob Kettle, who had criticized the camera pause as unjustified and urged Wilson to turn the Stadium District cameras on before the World Cup. On June 2, Kettle said he had sent a letter to Wilson arguing that the pause was inconsistent with the city ordinances that authorized and funded the CCTV program. He said the council had written protections into the law related to federal breaches involving immigration enforcement, reproductive health and gender-affirming care.

CAMERAS, 3

Pike Place Market Welcomes the World

Catching the ball Football: Encouraged for all players “Football”: Encouraged for one predesignated player per team, signified by a different colored jersey and only if they remain inside of a box that is painted on the ground. Simple, right? Seattle Stadium will host six matches from June 15 through July 6. Getting there is half the battle, and by battle, I mean navigating Seattle traffic, which on a normal Tuesday is already an experience that replicates Dante’s fifth circle (look it up). On match days, it will be so much worse. My strong recommendation is to take the Link Light Rail to Stadium or International District Stations. It’s fast, it’s reliable, and nobody can cut you off in traffic when you’re on a train. Park-and-ride options are available throughout the system. Check soundtransit.org for schedules. If you’re driving, plan to arrive early and use the designated parking. Road closures will be in effect around Seattle Stadium and Pioneer Square on match days starting approximately four hours before kickoff.

FROM SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: MORE WAYS TO GET AROUND

Seattle officials are taking several steps to help visitors move around the city during the World Cup. A temporary pause on many city construction projects will remain in effect through early July to reduce travel disruptions in key areas. Visitors can also take advantage of the free Waterfront Shuttle, which connects Seattle Center, the waterfront, Pioneer Square, Seattle Stadium, the Chinatown-International District, and nearby ferry terminals. For those arriving by bike, new protected bike routes and shareduse paths have recently opened near Seattle Center, expanding connections between

STAY CALM, 3

NICOLE KANDI - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

GETTING HERE SAFELY

Staff Report

ike Place Market will stay open late June 18 for the Welcoming the World Night Market, a special evening event celebrating Seattle’s role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. at Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St., and will bring together food, shopping, music, art and community programming across the Market. The night market is designed to welcome soccer fans from around the world while giving locals another reason to explore one of Seattle’s best-known public spaces after regular daytime hours. Visitors can expect more than 60 local craftspeople, 20 food vendors, 13 farmers and two live art demonstrations. Live

music will be provided by Lace Cadence of KEXP, with backyard party games and other activities planned throughout the Market. Businesses across Pike Place Market will also extend their hours for the event, giving visitors more time to shop, dine and explore. The vendor lineup includes a wide mix of handmade goods, from ceramics, jewelry and glasswork to clothing, accessories, printmaking, paintings, toys, collectibles and woodwork. Food options will include Market favorites and local vendors such as Pike Place Chowder, Maiz, Chukar Cherries, Shug’s Ice Cream & Soda Fountain, Pure Food Fish, Saffron Spice and more. Farmers and producers will also be part of the evening, including flower farms, cider makers, herb growers and other regional vendors.

The event is part of Seattle’s broader World Cup celebration, as the city prepares to host six matches at Seattle Stadium between June 15 and July 6. While the games will draw international visitors to the stadium, events like the night market are intended to showcase Seattle’s neighborhoods, food culture, small businesses and public gathering spaces. For visitors, the Welcoming the World Night Market offers a chance to experience Pike Place Market with a festival atmosphere. For residents, it is a reminder that the Market is not only a tourist destination, but also a place to support local farmers, artists, restaurants and independent businesses. The event is free to attend, with food, shopping and other purchases available from individual vendors.