Designing for Pedestrians in Pioneer Square
On Men’s World Cup game days, some of the biggest changes you’ll see will be in Seattle’s most well-known neighborhoods.
We’re planning for walkable, people-focused streets in Pioneer Square. This includes temporary changes to streets and more space for pedestrians on game days to create:
- A pedestrian zone around the stadium designed to keep people safe
- A better experience for visitors and residents at a scale appropriate for this global event
- Opportunities to attract customers into local businesses
This means more space to walk, roll, gather, and have fun while still allowing access for people who need it. Bike and scooter share entering the area will be slowed to 8 MPH and valet parking offered.
A similar effort will be made at Pike Place Market.
Pioneer Square Game Day Pedestrian Zone
Hours: Street closures will typically begin about 4 hours before match start times and end once the area has been cleaned and can safely be reopened. No parking restrictions start at 2 AM before each match.
Pedestrian Zone Days
The streets in and around the Pioneer Square neighborhood will be open to pedestrians and closed to vehicles on game days. On-street parking will be restricted beginning at 2AM on game days.
Monday, June 15 – Noon, Belgium vs. Egypt
Anticipated closure hours: 8AM – Event clears
Friday, June 19 – Noon, USA vs. Australia
Anticipated closure hours: 8AM – Event clears
Wednesday, June 24 – Noon, Qatar vs. Playoff Winner A
Anticipated closure hours: 8AM – Event clears
Friday, June 26 – Noon. Egypt vs. Iran + Mariners vs. Guardians— 4:10 PM
Anticipated closure hours: 8AM – Event clears (Mariner fans should expect to arrive during pedestrian zone hours)
Wednesday, July 1 – To be announced
Monday, July 6 – To be announced
Frequently Asked Questions
- Safety is our number one priority. Unlike other events at Lumen Field, we expect people to arrive much earlier and to linger after. The traffic control plan will be in place 4-hours prior to the start of each match and for about 2 hours after.
- Historically, events at Lumen have multiple entry points. For the World Cup, all general admission ticket holders will enter through the north entrances.
- The perimeter of Lumen field will be fenced extending to the northern end of the North Parking Lot. This means ticket holders will line up at S King St and the line will extend into Pioneer square.
- The area will be open and accessible to everyone but people driving motor vehicles.
- If you plan to get around on a bike or scooter, expect significant crowds and consider walking your bike and scooters in these areas. People biking and scooting will have designated parking spots, and if you are planning on going through the closure area, shared devices will be limited to 8 MPH.
- We are engaging with the Pioneer Square businesses, organizations, and service providers about how the pedestrian zone will work. Given the scale of the World Cup matches, deliveries by motor vehicle will not be permitted during the closure hours. Deliveries should be planned for before and after pedestrian zone activation on game days.
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 in areas near the stadium.
- The World Cup Local Organizing Committee is supporting additional vending opportunities within the pedestrian zone.
- Coordinating in advance to understand business and access needs and ensuring emergency response can happen.
We’ll publish more details as they become available.
- Over the course of the World Cup matches in Seattle, we are expecting close to 750,000 people visiting our city. On match days, there will be thousands of pedestrians in the neighborhoods adjacent to the stadiums.
- Safety is our number one priority. Unlike other events at Lumen Field, we expect people to arrive much earlier and to linger after. The traffic control plan will be in place 4-hours prior to the start of each match and for about 2 hours after.
- Historically, events at Lumen have multiple entry points. For the World Cup, all general admission ticket holders will enter through the north entrances.
- The perimeter of Lumen field will be fenced extending to the northern end of the North Parking Lot. This means ticket holders will line up at S King St and the line will extend into Pioneer square.
- Call 911 or the CARE non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011. Operators and dispatchers will receive, prioritize, and dispatch calls for service in the pedestrian zone.
- Adonis Ducksworth, SDOT Communications adonis.ducksworth@seattle.gov.