Bellingham announces World Cup fan zone grant awardees
The city of Bellingham has announced roughly $200,000 in grants to local businesses and organizations to host soccer-themed events as part of the Bellingham “fan zone” for the 2026 World Cup. These include watch parties and community activities.
Bellingham is one of nine Washington cities that are official World Cup “fan zones.” The city initially planned for larger events, but had to scale down and enlist local businesses due to the city’s budget.
Bellingham City Council unanimously approved the use of a lodging tax, or surcharges on hotel and motel stays, to fund the grants on Monday. An additional $50,000 grant from the Seattle Foundation via the Washington State Department of Commerce has been awarded to over a dozen local businesses for window displays, sign improvements and “creative curb appeal projects.”
“We wanted to capitalize on the excitement and camaraderie these games bring across the globe by getting our business community involved in doing what they do best: putting on a good time for Bellingham and our visitors,” said Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager with the city of Bellingham, in a news release. “The Bellingham Fan Zone will have the big watch-party feel of other fan zones across the state, but we’re doing it with our own twist and local flair.”
Who received the grants?
The Seattle matches will be shown at two community watch parties: one at Trackside Beer Garden by Kulshan Brewing near the waterfront, and one at a Commercial Street Block Watch Party hosted by The Den and the Wild Buffalo.
Fifteen other fan zone venues were also selected to receive grants for watch parties and other activities. They are:
- Archer Ale House
- Aslan Brewing Company/Aslan Depot
- Beach Cat Brewing South Paw
- Chuckanut Bay Distillery
- COF&
- Hammerhead Coffee
- JUXT
- Kulshan Brewing/K2
- Menace Brewing
- Paws for a Beer
- Sportsplex, hosted by Whatcom Sports Commission
- Stemma Brewing
- Uisce Irish Pub
- Wander Brewing
- Whatcom Family YMCA
Additionally, the following organizations received grants for family-friendly activities, such as soccer matches and crafts:
- Allied Arts
- Bellingham Bells
- Community Boating Center
- KMRE
- Mallard Ice Cream
- Paper Whale and The Rangers
- Sustainable Connections
- Whatcom Museum
Event dates and activity details will be released in the coming months.