Redmond is Ready for the World: City Shares Welcoming Vision in Preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026™
REDMOND, WA - The City of Redmond today unveiled Redmond is Ready for the World, a bold strategic campaign rooted in community connection and designed to bring people together ahead of next year’s World Cup events in the Puget Sound region. The campaign is a celebration of Redmond’s welcoming vision and includes a comprehensive collection of programming designed to engage community members, local businesses, and visitors alike.
“Redmond is Ready for the World reflects who we are as a city: welcoming, innovative, and connected,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “As we prepare for next summer, we are proud to showcase Redmond not only as a gateway to the global excitement, but also as a community that embraces diversity, supports our local businesses, and creates lasting connections.”
The campaign centers primarily on fostering community pride and connection through engaging with residents and community members and supporting local businesses as they prepare for next summer and use the event as a catalyst to drive Redmond’s progress.
The City is also using this generational opportunity to further establish Redmond as a premier place to visit and stay, with roughly 750,000 visitors expected regionally over the course of the tournament. Given the expected spring 2026 opening of Sound Transit’s light rail across Lake Washington and Redmond’s place as the first stop on the 2 Line, the City is poised as a desirable destination for fans looking to travel into Seattle for World Cup matches and other regional events.
Redmond is Ready for the World will activate in a wide variety of ways starting today and running through next summer, as Redmond embraces the excitement and energy of not just the World Cup, but additionally honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States of America on July 4 and the City’s annual summer celebration, Derby Days, on July 24 - 26.
At its core, Redmond is Ready for the World is focused on community – bringing neighbors, families, businesses, and visitors together to celebrate, connect, and create memories that will last long after the World Cup. Each program has been thoughtfully designed to strengthen the ties that make Redmond a vibrant community and to ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime event is a springboard to long-term impact.
Redmond is Ready for the World programming currently includes the following exciting offerings, with additions expected as the City works with community members, business owners, and community organizations to develop further opportunities.
Redmond is Ready for the World Program List:
Soccer Stories In this lighthearted community engagement program, the City invites anyone who lives, works, or spends time in Redmond to submit a personal account about what soccer – and Redmond – mean to them.
Each individual who submits a story will earn a collectible Redmond is Ready for the World sticker and stories will be posted on the City’s website to create a story quilt celebrating the ways sport and our community tie us all together.
Beginning in November and continuing through July 2026, one submission each month will be selected as Soccer Story of the Month. The featured individual will have the opportunity to record their story on video at City Hall to be shared on City social media platforms and will win a Redmond is Ready for the World t-shirt and custom soccer ball signed by a Seattle Sounders legend.
Visit redmond.gov/SoccerStories to submit a story today.
Fútbol for All Speaker Series Presented in partnership with Amazon, Redmond’s Fútbol for All Speaker Series aims to bring the community together through a wide range of compelling presentations led by experts in each field. Presentations are free and open to the public.
Are you not quite sure what offsides means or how penalty kicks work? Come learn soccer basics from a former topflight professional player so that you’re ready to enjoy everything from World Cup action to youth tournaments at 60 Acres Park. Ever wondered how photographers capture the magic of a game? Sit down with a Sounders and Seahawks team photographer to hear more. Curious about the fight for equal pay in women’s sports? Hear from athletes themselves! How did the Pacific Northwest become a hotbed for soccer, anyway? Let a sports historian tell you the story.
All of these topics – and more – will be part of the Fútbol for All Speaker Series. The series kicks off on Monday, Oct. 27 with Soccer 101, led by former Sounder James Riley, who is also the founder of JR7 SOCCER and an official SeattleFWC26 World Cup Ambassador. Riley will be joined by two of his former Sounders teammates for a lively panel discussion covering the fundamentals of soccer, its global culture, and why the World Cup is one of the most unifying events in the world.
Soccer 101 will take place from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Redmond Senior & Community Center and is a discussion-only forum that does not involve physical activity. It is open to anyone who wants to learn about the sport of soccer and understand more about why the World Cup matters.
Learn more about Fútbol for All and register for open presentations here. The full schedule of presentations and speakers will be announced later this year.
Mayoral Soccer Ambassador Group Mayor Angela Birney is assembling a collaborative advisory group to support community readiness and engagement for the upcoming World Cup. This diverse team of ambassadors representing community leaders, business owners and employees, and soccer enthusiasts will meet with Mayor Birney and city leadership multiple times ahead of next summer. The group will play a key role in shaping and championing local initiatives that celebrate the spirit of soccer, promote cultural inclusion, and build momentum that will carry forward beyond 2026.
World Cup Draw Watch Party In partnership with Amazon, the City of Redmond invites the community to a World Cup draw watch party at the Archer Hotel in Downtown Redmond on Friday, Dec. 5. The draw marks the next big step toward the thrills of 2026, as World Cup-qualified teams are sorted into playing groups for the tournament’s opening Group Stage. Drawing a favorable – or unfavorable – group can make or break a country’s World Cup ambitions, so community members are invited to join together to enjoy the draw.
The draw watch party is free and open to the public, with a breakfast buffet available for separate purchase. Co-working space will also be available for community members who need to multi-task. Further details regarding the watch party will be shared in the coming weeks.
Meet Me At Marymoor – World Cup Final Community Celebration To celebrate the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, the City of Redmond will host a free World Cup Final watch party event at Marymoor Park on Sunday, July 19. Meet Me At Marymoor will provide an opportunity for the Eastside community to gather together for all the thrills of the tournament’s championship match. Further details will be shared closer to the event date.
While the community adds this to their calendars, don’t forget Redmond’s Derby Days! This annual summer tradition will take place the weekend following the World Cup Final, from July 24 - 26.
Community Watch Party Grants The City of Redmond is excited to offer grants to support community-driven World Cup watch parties across Redmond. The grants program aims to activate public spaces, strengthen community connections, and celebrate the global excitement over the course of the World Cup tournament. Whether it’s a restaurant wishing to host a community watch party with food and drinks, a cultural organization planning to celebrate a heritage team, a business creating a family-friendly viewing experience, or a community group organizing within a neighborhood, the City of Redmond wants to support live viewing events that create a sense of welcoming and belonging.
Typical grants awarded will range from $500 - $6,000, with larger amounts considered for exceptional community events with significant impact. Grant applications open tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 and will be accepted through Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Interested individuals can access the grant application at redmond.gov/Soccer.
Legacy Project As part of celebrating the World Cup’s impact in the region, the City of Redmond will create a legacy installation in Downtown Park. The project will add oversized REDMOND letters as a permanent park feature and new point of interest for visitors and residents alike, giving a community rallying point and building lasting city pride.
Small Business World Cup Information & Strategy Sessions The City is hosting a series of in-person sessions for local small businesses to provide information and insight specific to the World Cup and its effect on business. Sessions include the chance to hear from FIFA Local Organizing Committee members, City of Redmond economic development specialists, and even Seattle Sounders legends – all while networking with other Redmond business owners.
The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Redmond City Hall. Attendees can RSVP here.
World Cup Activation Office Hours The City of Redmond is ready for the world and wants to help the community prepare, too. Whether it’s a small business, community organization, or resident with a creative vision, the City’s economic development and World Cup-focused teams are available for dedicated office hours to hear ideas, answer questions, and explore ways the City can partner to bring different World Cup activations to life.
Office hours are currently scheduled at Redmond City Hall from 4 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15 and Wednesday, November 12. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.
From community watch parties and storytelling to small business support and cultural programming, Redmond is Ready for the World is designed to bring people together in meaningful ways. The City is embracing this unique opportunity to showcase Redmond’s welcoming, innovative spirit and lay the groundwork for lasting progress.
There is still time for the wider Redmond community to help further shape Redmond is Ready for the World programming. Community members, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire at LetsConnectRedmond.com/Soccer to make their voices heard.
Community members are also encouraged to sign up for the City of Redmond’s weekly eNews newsletter and follow the City of Redmond on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Threads to ensure they stay up to date on the latest City events, including all Redmond is Ready for the World programming and activations.
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