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JUNE 17, 2026
Seattle Raises the FIFA Flag and Welcomes the World F SEATTLE LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Seattle Port Commission President Ryan Calkins (second from the right) helps raise the FIFA World Cup flag high atop the Space Needle.
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ast week, Seattle officially kicked off its FIFA World Cup festivities in dramatic fashion as Ryan Calkins, the President of the Port of Seattle, raised the FIFA World Cup 2026 flag atop the Space Needle, which had already been
transformed from one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks into the largest soccer ball in the world. The symbolic moment marks the beginning of a historic chapter for Seattle. This summer, the city will serve as one of
only 16 host cities across North America for the FIFA World Cup, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and showcasing the Pacific Northwest on one of the world’s biggest stages. Seattle is scheduled to host six matches during the
tournament, including four groupstage matches, a Round of 32 match, and a Round of 16 match at Lumen Field. For a region already known for its passionate soccer culture, the occasion feels especially fitting. Seattle consistently ranks among the strongest soccer markets in the United States, with the Sounders drawing devoted crowds and helping establish the city as a major hub for the sport. Seattle Reign FC has long been one of the flagship clubs in the NWSL. The city’s passionate support for both the Reign and the Sounders was a major factor in the city being selected as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city. “The World Cup is an opportunity for Seattle to show the world why we’re such a special place,” Calkins noted in a social media post following the event. Standing high above the city skyline, the FIFA flag serves as both a welcome and a promise—a signal that Seattle is preparing to host the world with the same spirit of innovation, hospitality, and community pride that defines the region. The coming weeks will feature celebrations, cultural events, community programming, and fan experiences designed to bring residents and visitors together around what FIFA famously calls “the beautiful game.” Beyond the matches themselves, the tournament is expected to generate significant economic activity for local businesses while introducing millions of global viewers to Seattle’s waterfront, neighborhoods, arts scene, and natural beauty. For one morning, the Space Needle became more than an icon of Seattle—it became a symbol of a city ready to take its place on the world stage.
VOL. 107, NO. 25
In This Issue:
Bring Back Our Sonics Page 4
Ballard Light Rail Page 5
Seattle Social Housing Page 7
SPD Awards Page 12
Staff Report
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nyone who spends time at the Queen Anne Farmers Market knows that it is about more than produce, flowers, and prepared foods. It’s about relationships, the familiar faces we look forward to seeing each week, and the small businesses that become part of the rhythm of our neighborhoods. For many market-goers, Sam and Sara Lucchese are among those familiar faces. For nearly two decades, the Ballard couple has shared their love of food through Vespucci Pizza, Pasteria Lucchese, and La Crespella, serving handmade meals to customers across Seattle. Whether through fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, or delicate crepes, they have built more than businesses—they have built community. That is why news of the devastating fire that damaged their Ballard home and destroyed the
commercial kitchen that serves as the heart of their operations has been felt so deeply throughout the local food community. The loss extends far beyond equipment and buildings. For small business owners, especially those whose work is rooted in local markets, the kitchen is more than a workspace. It is where recipes are tested, ingredients are prepared, and countless hours of labor are transformed into the food that brings people together around tables, celebrations, and everyday meals. Yet if there is one thing farmers markets know how to do, it is show up for one another. Since the fire, fellow vendors, market organizers, and loyal customers have rallied around the Luccheses, offering encouragement and support as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding. Their absence from the market has been noticeable—not only because of the food they create, but because of the warmth and energy they
bring to the community each week. The story of Queen Anne Farmers Market has always been about people. Behind every loaf of bread, bouquet of flowers, carton of berries, and handmade meal is a family taking a risk, working long hours, and investing in the places they call home. As Sam and Sara work toward recovery, Seattle has an opportunity to give back to a family that has spent years giving to others. In addition to the gofundme set up by QAFM’s Matt Kelly, one of the simplest ways to help is to continue supporting Vespucci Pizza, Pasteria Lucchese, and La Crespella. The farmers market community is built on the idea that we are stronger together. In moments like this, that principle becomes more than a slogan. It becomes a reminder that when one member of the community experiences loss, the entire community has an opportunity to help carry the weight.
PHOTO COURTESY MYBALLARD
When the People Who Feed the Community Need Feeding