Category: Everett Events

Everett hosted four official FIFA World Cup watch parties at Boxcar Park in June 2026. Here’s how visitors planned a full day out around them.

The four games — Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11), USA vs. Paraguay (June 12), Mexico vs. South Korea (June 18), and USA vs. Australia (June 19) — drew on Everett’s waterfront location to create an experience that went well beyond just watching a screen. Port Gardner Bay as a backdrop, marina activity, fresh seafood, and AquaSox games across the street made the Everett fan zone genuinely worth the drive from Seattle or beyond.

Last refreshed: October 22, 2026 (Pacific).

Getting There

By car from Seattle: Take I-5 North to Exit 193 (Everett/Everett Ave). Follow Marine View Drive north along the waterfront to Port of Everett. Drive time from downtown Seattle: 35-45 minutes in normal traffic. For USA match days, extra buffer helped — these drew regional crowds.

By transit: The best option for the evening matches (June 12 and 18) was Community Transit or Sounder North to Everett Station, then the free Everett Transit shuttle to Boxcar Park. Sounder North runs Monday-Friday — check Sound Transit’s schedule. Community Transit Route 512 runs from Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace; connect at Everett Station for the shuttle.

Parking: Port of Everett marina lots are the closest option. On USA match days, arriving 90 minutes before kickoff was the way to secure a spot. Alternatively, park downtown (free street parking in most of Everett’s downtown grid) and walk 15-20 minutes to the waterfront, or take the free shuttle from Everett Station.

Before the Match: The Waterfront

Arriving at least two hours early helped — the fan zone opened two hours before kickoff, and the Port of Everett waterfront has enough to keep you occupied. The marina district includes restaurants, coffee, and waterfront walking paths with views of Jetty Island and the Olympic Peninsula across Port Gardner Bay.

Anthony’s HomePort Everett is the signature waterfront dining spot — Pacific Northwest seafood with marina views. It booked up on event days; calling ahead or eating before the main crowd arrived was the move. The Boatyard Bar & Grill is a more casual option at the marina. Walk the marina path north to see the working cargo port and South Terminal area before settling into Boxcar Park for the match.

If You’re Staying Overnight: Everett for a Weekend

The evening matches (June 12 and 18, both 6 PM kickoffs) paired well with a Snohomish County overnight. Hotels near the waterfront and Paine Field area include the Hampton Inn Everett, the Inn at Port Gardner (boutique, directly on the waterfront — it filled well in advance for World Cup weekend), and multiple options near I-5 at the Everett Mall exit.

After the evening matches, Everett’s Broadway District has bars and restaurants open late. The Rocket Bar and Anchor Pub are the most-cited spots for post-event crowds near downtown.

Other Things to Do in Everett on Match Day

AquaSox baseball: The Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners affiliate) play home games at Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium — about a 10-minute walk from the waterfront. The AquaSox had June home dates on the MiLB schedule. A waterfront FIFA watch party followed by an AquaSox evening game made for a legitimately great Everett day.

Jetty Island: Free ferry from the Everett Waterfront (ran July and August) to Jetty Island, a two-mile natural sand island with beaches, trails, and unobstructed water views. It did not run in June — worth a return visit in summer.

Funko HQ: If you or your kids are fans of Funko Pop! figures (the collectible vinyl toys), the Funko headquarters is in Everett at 2802 Wetmore Ave — less than two miles from the waterfront. The HQ store stocks exclusive Everett-specific releases and is worth a stop.

Frequently Asked Questions — For Visitors

Is the Everett FIFA fan zone worth visiting from Seattle?

Yes — especially if you want a different experience than the dense urban crowd at a Seattle venue. The Boxcar Park waterfront setting was scenic, the event was free, and there was enough around the Port of Everett marina to make a half-day trip of it. For families with kids, the outdoor space and less-crowded environment is a plus.

What is the Inn at Port Gardner in Everett?

The Inn at Port Gardner is an upscale boutique hotel directly on the Everett waterfront, adjacent to the marina. It’s the closest accommodations to Boxcar Park and the most atmospheric option for a World Cup weekend stay. It filled quickly for the June match dates — it’s a small property.

Where can I eat near the Everett World Cup fan zone?

Best options near Boxcar Park: Anthony’s HomePort Everett (Pacific Northwest seafood, waterfront views), the Boatyard Bar & Grill (casual marina dining), and the growing waterfront retail area at Waterfront Place. Event-day food vendors were also on-site at Boxcar Park itself.

Related Exploring Everett coverage: Complete FIFA Fan Zone Guide — All Match Dates and Details

Q: Where is Everett’s FIFA World Cup fan zone?
A: Everett’s official FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zone is at Boxcar Park at the Port of Everett waterfront. Watch parties are scheduled for June 11, 12, 18, and 19, featuring USA vs. Paraguay, Mexico vs. South Africa, Mexico vs. South Korea, and USA vs. Australia. Free admission, with a free shuttle from Everett Station.

The FIFA World Cup comes to North America this summer, and Everett has an official seat at the table. The city is hosting four Waterfront Watch Parties at Boxcar Park — the outdoor venue at the Port of Everett waterfront — bringing tournament soccer to the shores of Port Gardner Bay in one of the most scenic viewing settings in the region.

This isn’t an unofficial gathering. Everett is one of nine official fan zone locations in Washington State, designated by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 organizing committee (SeattleFWC26) and the city in partnership with the Port of Everett and Snohomish County Sports Commission.

The Games, the Dates, the Times

Four match screenings are scheduled. Plan around the fan zone opening times — arrive early, especially for the USA matches, as attendance is expected to be high.

Thursday, June 11 — Mexico vs. South Africa (Tournament Opening Match)
Fan Zone opens: 10:00 AM | Kickoff: 12:00 PM
This is the tournament’s opening match — a significant draw for Mexican-American fans across Snohomish County, which has one of the larger Hispanic populations in the Puget Sound region.

Friday, June 12 — USA vs. Paraguay
Fan Zone opens: 4:00 PM | Kickoff: 6:00 PM
A Group Stage match for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Evening timing makes this the most accessible match for working attendees.

Thursday, June 18 — Mexico vs. South Korea
Fan Zone opens: 4:00 PM | Kickoff: 6:00 PM
Another evening match, with dual appeal to Mexican-American and Korean-American communities in the Everett area.

Friday, June 19 — USA vs. Australia (Seattle-hosted match)
Fan Zone opens: 10:00 AM | Kickoff: 12:00 PM
The actual match is being played in Seattle, making this the highest-visibility event for regional soccer fans. The Boxcar Park venue provides an alternative watch experience with waterfront views.

What’s at the Fan Zone

Boxcar Park at the Port of Everett is an open waterfront venue with Port Gardner Bay as its backdrop. For the World Cup events, the city is setting up a large outdoor screen, local food and beverage vendors, live music, family-friendly activities, and community programming.

Admission is free. Vendors from across Snohomish County have been recruited to serve the crowds — the City of Everett and Port put out an active vendor call for local food businesses interested in participating.

Getting There: The Free Shuttle

Everett Transit is running a free shuttle connecting Everett Station (the main transit hub at Smith Ave and Wetmore Ave) to downtown Everett and Boxcar Park. The shuttle is designed to reduce traffic pressure on the waterfront access roads and make the event accessible to attendees arriving via Sound Transit, Community Transit, or Sounder North commuter rail.

For drivers, the Port of Everett waterfront parking area at the marina provides the closest access. Arrive early on USA match days — parking fills quickly during major waterfront events. The alternative is to park at Everett Station and take the free shuttle, which eliminates the waterfront parking crunch entirely.

Why Everett Got a Fan Zone

Seattle is hosting multiple FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field in June 2026. The regional organizing committee, SeattleFWC26, worked with cities across western Washington to establish official fan zones that would distribute World Cup energy beyond the immediate Seattle footprint.

Everett’s waterfront — particularly Boxcar Park, which sits at the heart of the Port’s Waterfront Place mixed-use development — is tailor-made for an outdoor event of this scale. Port Gardner Bay provides a natural amphitheater effect; the existing food and hospitality businesses at the marina create an event ecosystem without requiring major temporary infrastructure.

Mayor Cassie Franklin specifically highlighted the FIFA watch parties in her April 2026 State of the City address, calling the event series an opportunity to “welcome visitors and showcase Everett on a global stage.” With 400,000 annual visitors expected at the proposed Outdoor Event Center nearby, the World Cup watch parties function as a preview of Everett’s waterfront entertainment capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Everett FIFA fan zone free?

Yes. Admission to Boxcar Park for all four Everett World Cup watch parties is free. Food and beverage vendors on-site will charge for their offerings.

Where exactly is Boxcar Park at the Port of Everett?

Boxcar Park is located at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place marina area, on the north end of the Everett waterfront. The nearest address reference is the Port of Everett marina entrance at 1205 Marine View Dr, Everett, WA 98201. The park sits along Port Gardner Bay with direct water views.

What matches is Everett showing at the FIFA World Cup fan zone?

Four matches: Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11, noon), USA vs. Paraguay (June 12, 6 PM), Mexico vs. South Korea (June 18, 6 PM), and USA vs. Australia (June 19, noon). Fan zone opens two hours before kickoff and stays open two hours after the match ends.

How do I get to the Everett waterfront fan zone by transit?

Everett Transit is running a free shuttle from Everett Station (Sound Transit rail hub and Community Transit interchange at Smith Ave/Wetmore Ave) through downtown Everett to Boxcar Park. Sounder North commuter rail serves Everett Station from Seattle on weekday schedules; check Sound Transit for match-day service details.

Is the Everett World Cup fan zone an official FIFA event?

Yes. Everett is one of nine official fan zone locations in Washington State designated by SeattleFWC26 and FIFA’s regional organizing structure. The event is organized in partnership with the City of Everett, Port of Everett, and Snohomish County Sports Commission.

Are there food options at the Everett fan zone?

Yes — local vendors recruited specifically for the event will be on-site. The surrounding Port of Everett marina area also has permanent restaurants and food businesses. Arrive with time before kickoff to explore the waterfront dining options nearby.

Can I bring kids to the Everett World Cup fan zone?

Yes. The event includes family-friendly activities alongside the match screenings. Boxcar Park is an open outdoor venue accessible to all ages. Come early to get good viewing positions before the crowd builds on USA match days.