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Bellevue, Washington Welcomes the World For the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Summer

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Bellevue, Washington Welcomes the World For the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Summer
News

News

Bellevue, Washington Welcomes the World For the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Summer

2026-04-20 22:18 Last Updated At:22:30

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 20, 2026--

Bellevue is ready to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, offering visitors a seamless, car-free way to stay near the action with direct access to matches in Seattle, located just across Lake Washington, minutes away from Lumen Field.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260420521267/en/

Travelers can now get to the lively Seattle Stadium District with ease via the new light rail, Crosslake Connection, from six Bellevue stations, and even to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). With expanded transportation infrastructure for car-free connections, long Pacific Northwest summer days, strong hotel inventory, and abundant green space, Bellevue makes the ideal home base for match days and beyond.

“Bellevue is built for global moments,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “With direct light rail access to Seattle, close proximity to Lumen Field, and a highly walkable downtown, we provide the ease of movement and refined hospitality today’s international traveler expects.”

Built-In Game Plan for Your Stay in Bellevue

To help visitors make the most of their stay, Visit Bellevue has introduced the Bellevue Stay & Play Fan Package, designed to pair matchday excitement with Bellevue’s renowned retail and hospitality experiences.

The package includes a $50 Bellevue Collection promo card, redeemable at more than 250 shops and restaurants, along with complimentary Bellevue Airport Shuttle transportation from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, making it easy for fans to arrive, explore, and head to matches during this globally significant summer.

Bellevue Baller Beer Honors World Cup Host Cities

Local hospitality partners are also joining the festivities. Bellevue Brewing Company, an award-winning local brewery, will debut a limited-edition beer called the “Bellevue Baller,” giving fans a signature toast to the soccer-themed summer.

“We created the Bellevue Baller to welcome soccer fans from all over the world,” said James Whittaker, an owner of Bellevue Brewing Company. “We brought together grains and hops unique to this region and lovingly blended them into an approachable beer that pairs well with exciting games and goals. A little corn to represent Mexico as a host nation. A little barley to represent Canada as a host nation and hops from our own American backyard.”

This special brew will be available at Bellevue Brewing Company for a tank-to-tap experience at its light-rail accessible Spring District location, as well as at select pubs and hotels across Bellevue.

Soccer Celebrations and Events in Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue will extend the fanfare beyond the stadium with curated watch parties, outdoor screenings, and soccer-themed activations throughout downtown parks and gathering spaces.

The BelRed Arts District will feature an interactive inflatable installation blending art and sport, while the Spring District will host its Summer Market and Concert Series alongside fan-focused experiences. At The Bellevue Collection, home to over 200 shops, 80+ restaurants, and three hotels, visitors can explore interactive displays, photo opportunities, and family-friendly programming as part of a summer of soccer-inspired events.

On match days at Seattle’s Lumen Field, Bellevue’s downtown light rail stations will come alive with pop-ups, photo moments, and high-energy fan activations, creating a vibrant pre- and post-game experience.

About Visit Bellevue

Visit Bellevue Washington (VBW) is the city’s official Destination Management Organization (DMO), representing Bellevue’s hotels, the Meydenbauer Convention Center, and the broader hospitality community. Funded by the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), VBW leads destination storytelling and visitor experience development for one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic cities. Located just 17 miles from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Bellevue offers rare proximity to both world-class urban experiences and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. With a vibrant waterfront, direct access to trails, lakes, and mountains, and a thriving culinary and cultural scene, Bellevue is a walkable, elevated basecamp for travelers seeking the unexpected. Follow @VisitBellevue to see where wonder leads.

Skyline meets shoreline in Bellevue, where 100+ green spaces, 14 miles of waterfront, and a walkable downtown sit just minutes away from Lumen Field.

Skyline meets shoreline in Bellevue, where 100+ green spaces, 14 miles of waterfront, and a walkable downtown sit just minutes away from Lumen Field.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear from Catholic preschools that say Colorado violated their religious rights by excluding them from a state-funded program over their admission policies.

The court agreed on Monday to take up the appeal from St. Mary Catholic Parish, which is supported by the Republican Trump administration.

Joined by the Archdiocese of Denver, the facilities argue it’s unconstitutional to bar them from a taxpayer-funded universal preschool program because of their faith-based restrictions on admission of LGBTQ+ families and kids.

The state said that religious schools are welcome to participate but are required to follow nondiscrimination laws. The program was created by a 2020 ballot measure and provides public funding for free preschool at centers selected by parents.

It’s the latest religious rights case for the conservative-majority court, which has backed other claims of religious discrimination while taking a more skeptical view of LGBTQ+ rights.

As part of the case, the court will consider narrowing a landmark 1990 decision over the spiritual use of peyote, a cactus that contains a hallucinogen called mescaline. That opinion, written by conservative icon Justice Antonin Scalia, found religious practices don’t create exemptions from broadly applicable laws.

The justices declined a push from the schools, along with a Catholic family in Colorado, to overturn the ruling.

The case will be heard in the fall.

Follow the AP's coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen Friday, April 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen Friday, April 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

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