Thursday, October 1, 2026
Soccer fans in Thurston County, who don't want to travel this summer to catch the FIFA World Cup 2026, can experience the global event on the waterfront in Olympia.
Tickets are now on sale for the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone at Port Plaza, event organizers announced on Friday, May 15.
Port Plaza will be transformed into a "high-energy waterfront festival" complete with giant outdoor LED screens, live entertainment, DJs, local food vendors and beer gardens. It will also feature family experiences, interactive fan activations and community celebrations.
The Fan Zone will host four match days in June:
The series opens June 19 with a cultural welcome from the Squaxin Island Tribe Canoe Family before the USA vs. Australia match. Fans can expect a live set from Queen Mother Tribute, DJs, fan activities and soccer-themed experiences throughout the day.
Food and drinks will be available from Anthony's Homeport, Fisher Scones, Little Creek Casino Resort, Anheuser-Busch, Talking Cedar and Matchless Brewing. Captain Little will also be on-site with specialty items for purchase.
Organizers expect the June 25 USA vs. Turkey watch party to draw one of the largest crowds of the series. The nighttime waterfront event is going to deliver an “energetic festival atmosphere” with DJs, fan activities and interactive experiences.
The Fan Zone closes on June 26, with The Scrunchies closing the week’s festivities with the final live performance.
General admission is $10 per date. Children 12 and younger are admitted at no charge.
For fans looking for a premium experience, VIP tickets are $75 per person. That includes priority entry, exclusive area access, two beverages, snacks, swag bags and additional premium experiences.
Turnout for all four dates is expected to be high. Organizers are now calling on fans to lock in tickets early, ahead of what they anticipate will be a sell-out series.
The Fan Zone is co-hosted by the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, along with Thurston County and the Port of Olympia. The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, is helping organize the event dates and fan experiences.
Sponsors include Anheuser-Busch, Airbnb, Squaxin Island Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Intercity Transit, The Rants Group, Experience Olympia & Beyond, Sunset Air, Inc., Olympia Downtown Alliance, FC Olympia, D Zines: Creative Solutions & Graphic Designs, Talking Cedar, Matchless Brewing, Well 80 Brewhouse and Three Magnets Brewing.
The Fan Zone is located at Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St. NW in Olympia. Tickets and event details are available on the event’s official website.
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SunterraTrail
Parking?
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Snevets
Never mind all the controversy surrounding FIFA.
Wednesday, May 20 Report this
BobJacobs
Who is actually organizing/managing this multi-day event?
And who is paying for it?
Bob Jacobs
Wednesday, May 20 Report this
Boatyarddog
TheGreatAnon. Exactly, this port should be PAYING the public to attend. To cover ALL OF THE quackery of OVERSPENDING on DEAD PROJECTS they've Lost TAX DOLLARS ON. BOYCOTT the Ports Treachery.
Thursday, May 21 Report this
Boatyarddog
WHAT A DUD OF an IDEA !
Thursday, May 21 Report this
ViaMedia
To answer Mr. Jacob's question, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is the main organizer. The Port of Olympia is providing the public space. Here are some other interesting players and the tax money involved. The funding is all going to the Chamber to manage.
https://tinyurl.com/3n6xhexw Per memorandum of understanding among the principal backers with the TC Chamber of Commerce:
City of Olympia: Providing a financial contribution of $75,000 (non-LTAC funds), to be contracted directly with the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce (non-LTAC funds)
The City of Lacey: $80,000 in LTAC funding
City of Tumwater: $7,500 in LTAC funding
Thurston County: $84,000 in LTAC funding
Total: $246,500 of tax money going into this multi-day event managed by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
LTAC is the acronym for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, the small group who allocate lodging tax funds to applicants. Each city and county have their own LTAC.
Monday, May 25 Report this
Wesley
"Parking?" Why would you ask? You're not supposed to use your car.
Thursday, May 28 Report this
RitaRose
Why are people being charged for the Fan Zones in Thurston County. They're free in King and Pierce counties.
Saturday, May 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
RitaRose, Honest question. Because Our PORT OF OLYMPIA IS a total Losing Business, Not able to Cover the Entry costs of Anything. A FAILING LBusiness. STOP SUBSIDIZING WEYERHAUSER stop shipping timber off to foreign Lands. CLOSE THE MARINE TERMINAL, NO MORE DREDGING, NO MORE FILLING IN UPLAND TIDE AREAS FOR UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING.
Saturday, June 20 Report this
Boatyarddog
Snevets, IN case your still wondering where PARTHIA is? It's sitting on blocks next to the Boatyard office. Continued questions seemed to be getting some response. Keep questioning PORT OPERATIONS IT WORKS. They HATE Transparency!
Saturday, June 20 Report this