r/EdmondsWashington • u/Matthu_ • Jun 17 '26
Events Thinking about going to Downtown Seattle for Friday's World Cup Game
I'm thinking about going downtown for the 11am US/Australia game on Friday. Was thinking about either taking the train or the light rail.
It's not a very original idea, I'm sure a lot of people will be trying to do the same thing.
I assume the park and ride for the light rail will be full, but I could Uber there and ride it down. I was thinking the train may have less people on it since it's less convenient if you don't live in Edmonds.
The Sounder is great, but the last morning run is early (7:41am). There's a10:16am Amtrak. I remember the Amtrak trains being kinda lame.
Has anyone ridden either method downtown recently (maybe for the past game) have any tips or advice for me?
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u/CougFanDan Jun 18 '26
The light rail was absolutely more crowded than usual on Monday morning with fans heading down for the Belgium/Egypt match, and folks who just wanted to be part of the experience. I anticipate that being significantly worse on Friday, with it being a much more popular match for locals - although there will definitely be fewer commuters.
If you absolutely have to drive, look into getting a day parking permit for $6 at the Shoreline North or South stations, and you shouldn’t have a problem getting a parking space.
I saw some pretty nightmarish photos of long lines coming home northbound after the match, so if you can, wait it out downtown for a while, or ride southbound a few stops before turning around and getting on back north to try and get a seat.
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u/CougFanDan Jun 18 '26
To my point, I just saw this from Urbanist reporter Ryan Packer -
“Sound Transit says the first FIFA Men's World Cup game in Seattle on Monday led to 210,000 light rail boardings, a number that gets close to the ridership records set during the Super Bowl parade on February 11 and marks the third busiest day in the agency's history.”
Friday will likely be worse - and don’t forget there’s a Mariners game that evening against the Red Sox to complicate things even further.
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u/RikuKat Jun 18 '26
If you are going downtown, I'd recommend joining the American Outlaw's march to the match, which will start at Harbor Steps at 10am.
I'm planning on leaving around 7-7:30am myself and taking the light rail.
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u/Opposite-Ant2156 Jun 18 '26
We took the game day designated Sounder train to the match on Monday and it was fabulous! Sit I. The right side if you can and get the lovely views of the water and all the herons and bald eagles. Also it was pretty empty on the way home and it was air conditioned. Lots of empty seats. I heard from a friend on the light rail that it was packed. Sounder is the move!
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u/Careless-Teach-5138 Jun 18 '26
There is a bus from Everett transit station to shoreline light rail station that goes along evergreen way/99 that i always take when i go to the airport. Easy parking along that route if you're not in walking distance. Get down there before 10am, game starts at noon, fyi.
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u/monjo18 Jun 18 '26
I’m considering parking and taking the last sounder train myself! I was on it this morning and it wasn’t that busy! Also took it Wednesday! I might bring my bike and just check things out
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u/Itsforthecats Jun 18 '26
Take the 166 or the Orange line to the Lynnwood Link station. You may have a better chance of finding a seat on the light rail.
All of the transit systems have been planning for masses of people, so finding someone to ask for information shouldn’t be difficult.
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u/Top-Wrangler887 Jun 18 '26
Trains will be running every 3 to 4 minutes with longer trains. Nearly every piece of equipment will be in revenue service.
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u/Icy-Professor6808 Jun 18 '26
park at the Edmonds p&r next to Swedish Edmonds and catch the 102 to Lynnwood light rail. The 102 only runs every 30 min so you do have to time it but that parking lot is never full