EVERETT, JUNE 15: Boosted by gorgeous weather and the eager anticipation for the first two days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an estimated 6000 fans attended the Everett Waterfront Watch Parties at Box Car Park last week, according to event organizers.
“On Thursday, the Watch Party had nearly 1,500 people, and on Friday we had about 4,500 people,” Port of Everett spokesperson, Kate Anderson, tells EverettPost.com. “For both days we had a line before the event started, and for Friday we had a steady stream of people entering the Fan Zone until about half time of the game. The Watch Parties open two hours before the match starts, and stay open two hours after the match ends,” said Anderson.
“Both days so far have been amazing, with great energy from the crowds and everyone who has attended”, Anderson reported, referencing the Thursday game featuring Mexico and the Friday game featuring the United States. Both Mexico and the U.S. won their opening games.
The Thursday and Friday watch parties continue again this week on June 18 at 6 p.m. with Mexico playing South Korea and June 19 at noon as the U.S. plays Australia, known to their fans as “The Socceroos”, a combination of iconic kangaroos, native to Australia, and the western word for football. “We expect the Thursday night game on June 18 and Friday noon game on the Juneteenth holiday to have high attendance like last Friday’s match,” Anderson said.
All four teams won their opening games so any team that wins this week’s contest is virtually assured of advancing to the knock-out round after pool play concludes. The urgency to win will add to the Box Car Park atmosphere. If either game ends in a tie, the ability to advance to the knock-out stage would come down to their respective matches on June 25 and 26.
Anderson encourages fans to attend the final two watch parties this week, saying, take “the free shuttle…to be best prepared before they come to the Port of Everett waterfront. Hope to see you at one of the Watch Parties.”
There are no further watch parties planned at Box Car Park on the Everett waterfront after this week’s Mexico and U.S. games.
For shuttle information, click here.