Pioneer Square to be walkable pedestrian zone for 6 FIFA matches

People gathered at Occidental Park in the heart of the historic Pioneer Square district. Many are wearing Sounders FC jerseys or the team’s green and blue colors. Photo: SDOT

When FIFA Men’s World Cup comes to Seattle this summer, the area near Lumen Field in Pioneer Square will become a pedestrian zone during the six match days.

About 750,000 people are expected to visit Seattle for FIFA, and 100,000 people are expected in and around Lumen Field on match days. We hope at least 80% will use transit, walking, biking and carpooling.

The temporary pedestrian zones create more space for you to walk, roll, and gather, while uplifting event safety for visitors, workers, and residents. This approach also helps manage the queuing for a single stadium entry point (north gates only), early gate opening (3 hours prior), and heavy activation in Pioneer Square with watch parties, bands, and entertainment.

Click here for an interactive map of SDOT FIFA street closures and operational changes.

Read more about the Pioneer Square pedestrian zone on our website and in our recent blog post about how we’re getting ready for the World Cup.

A similar effort will be made at Pike Place Market, where we are considering new kinds of temporary barriers to support a safe and secure experience for people and businesses in the neighborhood.

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Supporting local businesses within the pedestrian zone

We’re working with:

Local businesses on possible opportunities to activate the streets and sidewalks. This could include sidewalk cafes, merchandise displays, and outdoor seating.
The World Cup Local Organizing Committee, which is managing vending opportunities within the pedestrian zone in areas not already populated with shops.
Business owners and community partners in advance to understand access needs, ensure emergency response continues, and bikes and scooters are parked well.

Learn more about the Pioneer Square pedestrian zone here.

Getting to Pioneer Square

Public transportation is a great way to get to Pioneer Square any day, especially during the World Cup.

Anyone 18 and younger rides local buses, streetcars, Link light rail, and ferries for free and discounted fares are available for eligible adults. Metro and Sound Transit will also offer more service during matches.

Explore your travel options on FlipYourTrip.org. Here are a few at a glance.

Do you have questions about how to get around Seattle? Email us at get.social@seattle.gov and we may turn your question into our next video or blog post.

Streetcar

The First Hill Line travels between Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill, starting at Occidental Mall and ending across the street from Cal Anderson Park.

There are two streetcar lines in Seattle:

First Hill Line connects: Capitol Hill, First Hill, Yesler Terrace, Central District, Little Saigon, Chinatown, Japantown, Pioneer Square.
- Travel Alert: On World Cup match days, the Occidental Mall stop will be closed, and the streetcar terminus will be located at 5th and Jackson.
- Follow @SDOTtraffic on X for real-time city street updates and visit the News + alerts page on FlipYourTrip.org for more real-time resources from other local transit agencies.
South Lake Union Line connects: Lake Union, South Lake Union, Denny Triangle, McGraw Square where you can catch light rail to the Chinatown International District and Pioneer Square

Learn more about the streetcar on seattle.gov/Streetcar. Check the News + alerts page on FlipYourTrip.org for links to real-time transit alerts from local transit agencies.

Shared bikes and scooters

Shared bikes and scooters entering the Pioneer Square pedestrian area will be slowed to 8 MPH. Valet parking will be offered, and riders will be directed to these parking areas.

Please remember to:

Always wear a helmet.
Plan your trip to use bike lanes whenever possible. We recently finished a new bike lane on Yesler Way, making it easier to get between Pioneer Square, other parts of Downtown Seattle and the waterfront. Here are some bike lane maps:
- Simplified bike map of downtown area (see below)
- Interactive bike map of the city
Park out of the way at the end of your ride. If you see a designated parking spot or bike rack, please use it. In the pedestrian zone, be on the lookout for valet parking areas.

Learn more on seattle.gov/BikeShare.

*Bike lanes in Downtown Seattle. Learn more about our City Center Bike Network here and explore an interactive bike map of the city here. Graphic: SDOT*

Bus

Seattle’s central bus corridor, 3rd Avenue, runs to Pioneer Square. Our partners at King County Metro, which operates bus and other service in Seattle, offer the Metro Trip Planner to help you plan in advance.

Make sure to check King County Metro’s website for match-day updates and information on any special services. Links to real-time information from King County Metro and other local transit agencies can be found on the News + alerts page of FlipYourTrip.com.

Light rail

Pioneer Square is close to three light rail stations:

For matchday attendees, Sound Transit has preferred stations to arrive at and leave from Seattle Stadium. Check out their match-day resources:

Sound Transit manages the Link light rail, Sounder Trains, and Sound Transit Express buses. They also have handy trip planner tool for everyday use. Make sure to check Sound Transit’s website for match-day updates and information on any special services.

Links to real-time information from Sound Transit and other local transit agencies can be found on the News + alerts page of FlipYourTrip.com.

Ferries and water taxis

Pioneer Square is a short stroll or roll from the Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50 with services to Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island, West Seattle, Kingston, Bremerton, and other Kitsap County destinations. Leave your car behind and enjoy the ride.

Make sure to check King County’s website for water taxi updates and Washington State Department of Transportation’s website for ferry alerts.

Links to real-time information from those agencies and more can be found on the News + alerts page of FlipYourTrip.com.

Stay connected

We’ll keep sharing updates, tips, and travel information across SDOT channels so you can stay informed and plan ahead with confidence. This blog is just the beginning.

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