World Cup 2026: Tiny ‘designated protest zones’ pop up around Seattle Stadium

Fans may have been bemused by, or may not have noticed, a small “designated protest zone” set up outside of Seattle’s first World Cup match on Monday.

The area on Occidental Ave outside of the temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium was marked off with cones, orange netting and a sign reading “DESIGNATED PROTEST ZONE,” with the Seattle Police Department’s logo. SPD did not comment on the measurements of the zone, but a Seattle Times reporter estimated 10 people could fit inside the zone if they stood close together.

While the zone wasn’t being used by protesters on Monday, it did provide a photo opportunity for some Belgian fans ahead of the match against Egypt. 

Additional zones, which appear to be similarly sized, are located on South King Street, South Charles Street, and South Royal Brougham Way. In an email, SPD said the protest zones were set up “to provide access for everyone so they may exercise their right to speech, regardless of the event.” SPD confirmed that the zones would remain in place for the upcoming matches, which take place through July 6. 

“While SPD places no limits on someone’s ability to communicate their message, they will support safety in the protest zones to support demonstrators’ ability to exercise their First Amendment rights,” SPD said in response to a question on whether they would enforce the designated protest zones. 

Ahead of Monday’s game, amid crowds of soccer fans heading to watch the noon game, a few small protest groups were spotted outside Seattle Stadium on Occidental Avenue and King Street. 

Among them were Indivisible Vashon, protesting the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Seattle. Separately, members of Civil Indivisible Resistance walked with signs protesting “the authoritarianism we’re sinking into,” according to spokesperson Kate Raphael. Both groups moved around freely outside of the designated protest zones. 

SPD said that designated protest zones have been provided at other events in the past. Larger protests are expected when Egypt faces Iran during the pride match on June 26. 

Seattle Times reporter Nicole Pasia contributed to this report.