By the time you read this, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and the rest of the world’s top men’s soccer players will have arrived in North America for one of the biggest events in sports history: FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ever since Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates lifted the trophy at the end of the 2022 tournament, players from across the globe have spent years preparing for this moment — one firmly rooted, for the first time ever, in the Pacific Northwest.

Several matches featuring the United States, Canada, and other national teams will take place in Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, this June and July. It will mark the first time that men’s World Cup matches have been played in our corner of the world since the event’s inception in 1930. When those matches kick off, they’ll herald a new chapter in the region’s collective love affair with what’s called “the beautiful game.”

Inside packed stadiums, fans from around the world will chant, sing, and exhort their teams to victory. After the final whistle, they’ll congregate for watch parties, visit some of the Pacific Northwest’s top sites, and make memories that last well after the tournament ends in mid-July. Whether you’ve finagled your way into a ticket or are visiting simply to revel in the joyful atmosphere, it will be an unforgettable experience — and one the region has never felt before.

With kickoff mere days away, scarves up, soccer fans. Here’s how to soak up every second of a soccer-filled summer in the Pacific Northwest.

Fan Zones Showcase Communities, Cultures of Washington

SeattleFWC26, the city’s World Cup organizing committee, is leading scores of citywide festivities throughout the tournament window. The fun includes watch parties and family-friendly activities at Seattle Center; public events at Waterfront Park on the shores of Elliott Bay; watch parties on a brand-new LED screen at Pacific Place downtown; and viewing parties at the Victory Hall event venue across from Lumen Field, which has been renamed Seattle Stadium for the tournament.

The committee has also partnered with nine Washington communities to host fan zones across the state. Each fan zone looks a little different to reflect the city it’s held in. In Kitsap County, the Bremerton Fan Zone will welcome soccer fans at Quincy Square in downtown. Bremerton is ideal since it is a short ferry ride from Seattle. People can plan stays and local adventures at staykitsap26.com.

The complete list of fan zone-designated cities and areas includes Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, the Olympia/Lacey area, Tacoma, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima. Some places are shining a light on local pubs that host free watch parties, while other communities may put on family-friendly activities, concerts, and additional events as part of their own celebrations.

A version of this article originally appeared in our sister publication, Northwest Travel & Life.