Thursday, October 1, 2026
A sold-out crowd of approximately 2,800 soccer fans packed Port Plaza at Port of Olympia for the debut of the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone.
Spectators enjoyed food and beverages from local vendors, participated in interactive activities and picked up soccer-related gear on a sunny spring afternoon.
Some people even received swag bags at the event that delighted the crowd, as they watched Team USA beat Australia 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Seattle on June 19.
Watch parties, like the one in Olympia, took place at nine locations across the state of Washington on June 19.
“I think it’s just an awesome time to bring people together, friends and family. We’re seeing a good mix of age ranges and people from all sorts of walks of life here right now. We have the Squaxin Island Tribe doing a welcoming to this. Events like sporting events and things in that nature bring people together,” said Mike Reid, Director of Community & Economic Development at the Port of Olympia.
The watch party also drew favorable reviews from attendees, who viewed the soccer match on a pair of giant LED screens attached to the viewing tower.
“It’s really important to let young people and kids experience soccer for the first time on this kind of stage where the whole world is watching. They’re going to remember this forever,” said soccer fan Paul Wirtz.
Business owners were also grateful for the chance to showcase their goods and services as well, given the reach the watch party provided.
“It’s massive because it gives me the opportunity to interact with our consumers, but more importantly for exposure about who we are,” said Kurt Gress, who is the owner of Wembley Soccer Shop in Olympia.
Emma Hays, founder of Oly Roots, echoed those sentiments.
“Events like this help small businesses so much because it brings crowds right to where we are. For us specifically we just opened our business last summer so people are still learning about us, so having a bunch of new customers is really great for us," said Hays, whose mobile business offers healthy foods.
Before the Team USA-Australia match started, there was a special performance from the Squaxin Island Canoe family.
After the match was over, Queen Mother Band performed on stage at the daylong event, which was organized by Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Association of Washington Business, “officials estimate the games will create nearly $1 billion in economic benefits, support over 20,000 jobs, and generate more than $100 million in state and local tax revenue.”
The next fan zone event will take place at Port Plaza on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fans will be able to watch the Canada versus Switzerland match at noon.
General admission tickets are on sale now for $5. VIP tickets for this event will be available for $35. Former Seattle Sounder player Zach Scott will be in attendance. Get your tickets here.
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RondaLarsonKramer
One thing that stands out to me about the Fan Zone is that it appears to have been successful despite a number of limitations. Attendees paid $10 just to enter, with VIP tickets costing substantially more. There was limited seating, the viewing screen was relatively small, and the site itself constrained how many people could comfortably participate.
Yet people still came.
To me, that says less about soccer and more about the demand for waterfront gathering spaces in Olympia. Residents are looking for opportunities to spend time on the waterfront with other members of the community.
People did not come because of a warehouse, a hotel, or a cargo operation. They came because the waterfront itself is an attractive place to gather. That may be the most important lesson from this event.
For years, much of the discussion about the peninsula has focused on revenue-generating development. Yet one of the largest crowds the waterfront has seen in recent memory was drawn by a temporary public event. Imagine what could be accomplished with a larger permanent public waterfront destination featuring open space, food vendors, community events, and an amphitheater. Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada's suggestion that the Port consider an amphitheater deserves serious consideration.
The Port's greatest asset may not be its ability to lease land. It may be its ability to create places where people want to spend time.
The Fan Zone demonstrates that investments in public space are not merely amenities. They are economic development. When people gather downtown, they support local businesses, create community, and make Olympia a more attractive place to live and visit.
Monday, June 22 Report this
Boatyarddog
WE don't need an Amphitheater to enjoy events, just More and better events. An Amphitheater is over the top.
Monday, June 22 Report this
Daneyul
Spot on, Ronda. A venue for concerts, theatre and other outside shows is sorely needed in this area. "More and better" events don't just happen, there needs to be some workable infrastructure to bring in something more than local craft fairs. It doesn't have to be gaudy or huge, but there should be something that makes the waterfront a destination space for the community other than just a place to set up the occasional line of vendor booths.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
GrandyMarty
As a person who frequents the Port Plaza on a regular basis, I thought it was a park in Olympia Parks. I was unaware it could be blocked off for WEEKS at a time to charge admission on select days.
I'm happy for those fans who enjoy soccer, but I am sad for the rest of the public who will not be able to enjoy the public access to watch the water this week and cool off a bit.
It also makes it very inconvenient for anyone trying to get ready for any other PUBLIC event held in the same area.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
Alexhehim
I wanted to this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to the USA v Australia. You all helped make it a memorable event.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
Person of Interest
I am glad this event is well attended. This opportunity and event came to the Port and was not created by the Port. The Port helped with the organization of the event.
Public Access, the creation of dedicated parks and events spaces with facilities is not on the agenda of the Port Commission. They want to dedicate money to building out infrastructure for electric planes that will never come. If they do come or the method of transportation becomes more mature future grants will be available. The technology just is not relevant today for a regional airport to invest in. Vasavada still wants to do a demand study on ferry service to Olympia. At the last Commission work session three Commissioners green lighted obtaining a quote for a ferry demand study. The cost for those two Projects, when fully approved by Vasavada’s supporters on the Commission, will exceed $170,000. Why is the Port leading this effort? If it is for tourism why does not other Thurston County and local government contribute. I can see contributing to a demand study run by others but this is the tail wagging the dog. There just is not sufficient state or federal funds to subsidize a ferry service to or from Olympia. The private market will drive this. It’s all smoke to pretend the Port is making progress. This money could be spent on park designs, features for music venue or more relevant projects that support public access. When it is time to vote we need to vote out any Commissioners that are not working directly on either enhancing existing public access or developing new public access for the community.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
KinesthesiaAmnesia
Seeing all the community support for this one-off soccer event makes me wonder why average Olympians don't have more access to soccer fields? Kids living in Olympia city limits don't seem to have the same access to sports and rec facilities that kids in Tumwater and Lacey appear to enjoy. There's the soccer fields on 96th for Tumwater teams that can reserve them. There's the rec complex in Lacey. Soccer-playing adults I know in the area bemoan the lack of proper facilities throughout the county.
I spent part of my childhood in the Westside. When I'm visiting the old neighborhood now, I can't believe how there seems to be less, not more, for kids to do there than when I was their age. I think it the city or port were to build anything that would get the most use for the most people, make it a soccer field.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
TheVirtualOne
RondaLarsonKramer - Totally agree with you about the waterfront. The attraction IS THE GEOGRAPHY and should be opened up for much more public uses, without any fees or charges. Things like the port logging operation should be closed as it’s a money loser. Replace it with trees and grass for the public to enjoy instead of hotels, amphitheaters, and more importantly fewer buildings.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
DudeGuyOly
go team ball!
Tuesday, June 23 Report this
JulesJames
Sure wish the commenters would cease all their piggyback jockeying for the fantasy civic projects and just inform me whether or not to bring my own chair to watch the soccer match.
Tuesday, June 23 Report this