Thursday, October 1, 2026
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
The Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone will open at Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza on Friday, June 19, giving the public a unique experience for watching 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
There will be two large LED screens set up to ensure spectators have a good view of the games no matter where they are in the fan zone.
“We’re really excited to be able to show off all of Olympia on the waterfront. It’s a big part of our community and the greater Thurston County,” said Taber Lee, Communications & Marketing Senior Manager at the Port of Olympia.
Fans will be able to watch Team USA play Australia at noon on Friday. Gates to enter the fan zone will open at 10 a.m. The fan zone will also be open for match screenings on June 24, 25 and 26.
“It’s a once in a generation experience to be able to watch the world’s game together with fans.” said Jennie Foglia-Jones, Project Coordinator for the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone.
When describing the community feedback for this event Foglia-Jones said, “It’s all been very positive. People are really excited. I think that we’ve seen an increase as the World Cup has started.
"We’re definitely seeing more interest in our events and more positive feedback on the event, especially after last Friday’s (June 12) U.S. opener against Paraguay. We have definitely seen the interest in this Friday’s USA versus Australia match increase as well.”
Spectators can expect local food and drink vendors, interactive activities, as well as live music during all match screenings.
On Friday, there will also be a special performance at 11 a.m. by the Squaxin Island Canoe family. After the USA-Australia match is over, the band Queen Mother is set to perform from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Organizers estimate that around 2,500 to 5,000 people will attend each match screening. To attend the fan zone, people will need to purchase a ticket.
General admission tickets are $10 for attendees who are 13 years old and older. It’s free for attendees who are 12 and under.
VIP experience tickets are $75. It is important to note that the VIP tickets for Friday’s fan zone event are sold out.
General admission tickets for Friday’s event are still available. A VIP experience ticket comes with priority entry, a swag bag, two beverages of choice, access to the VIP bar and catering.
Children 12 and under may still enter the VIP area if they’re accompanied with a VIP ticket holder. Visit https://thurstonchamber.com/FANZONE/ to get tickets for Friday’s event and all of the other fan zone events.
Parking will be limited. Spectators are encouraged to use public transportation, ride share services or car pooling.
People who attend the fan zone events must go through a security screening process, which includes bag check and wand screening.
Friday, June 19: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. USA vs. Australia match starts at noon.
Wednesday, June 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Canada vs Switzerland match starts at noon.
Thursday, June 25: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. USA vs. Turkey match starts at 7 p.m.
Friday, June 26: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Pride Celebration) Spain vs Uruguay match starts at 5 p.m. Egypt vs Iran match starts at 8 p.m. Special performance by The Scrunchies at 7 p.m.
9 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
chrispc2u
I’ll be avoiding this like the plague.
Wednesday, June 17 Report this
Boatyarddog
How is it that kids can be exposed to Alcohol on Port Property.
This from Port publication. "Children 12 and under may still enter the VIP area if they’re accompanied with a VIP ticket holder." VIP access includes alcoholic beverages in the VIP area. ICE officials have been seen in the Seattle area recently. WATCH OUT FOLKS!
Thursday, June 18 Report this
DudeGuyOly
I think the people attending will enjoy you avoiding the 'plague'
Thursday, June 18 Report this
Snevets
To bad this is happening during the current Fascist administration. Accusing referees of being criminals as just one example. Agreed with @boatyard dog... keep an eye out for ICE.
Thursday, June 18 Report this
badavis6
Thank you, Olympia and Lacey city staff, for partnering on this fan zone. I'm really looking forward to being part of it tomorrow. Noted the previous comment from someone planning to avoid it "like the plague." So, not for everyone. Many people don't enjoy crowds, or even sports, for that matter. And that's okay.
However, I for one will enjoy this opportunity to be among people whose political views probably differ from mine and yet we can be shoulder to shoulder enjoying our USA team and our communities. Next to our beautiful harbor.
Thursday, June 18 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Charging tax payers to stand around like livestock quaffing over-priced booze to watch over- paid jocks kicking a ball around for 90 minutes is some real manure.
Thursday, June 18 Report this
Boatyarddog
YEAH, I'm NOT so crazy. THIS PORT is Full of mis guided intention. I've been watching along with MANY other THURSTON county Residents. And Year after Year We the shareholders of T County have to Bicker about the small Issues..Put your trust in your Costitutants, and support their (your) Opinions. If they don't align with your own Opinions then challenge their understandings, ASK QUESTIONS, demand sane and reasonable information. NO ONE IS 100% correct. But pretty normal if we're honest about it.
Thursday, June 18 Report this
Boatyarddog
@TheGreatAnon, Olympia gets divided, sometimes severely. We do however express our feelings and THAT is Okay and Important when it comes to being Honest. We Just need to continue dialog. Without HATE.
Thursday, June 18 Report this
RondaLarsonKramer
It's great to see people being drawn to the waterfront, but I find myself asking a broader question: why does it take a special ticketed event for us to create this kind of energy?
The Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone charges $10 admission for adults, with VIP tickets costing $75. Yet many communities have public waterfront gathering places that are lively on a regular basis without requiring an admission fee. Bellingham's waterfront is a good example. People go because the setting is attractive, there is food and entertainment, and the space is designed for people to linger.
The real lesson of the Fan Zone may be that Olympia residents want more opportunities to gather on the waterfront. Instead of treating these events as occasional attractions, we should be thinking about how to create a waterfront destination that draws people year-round. Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada's suggestion that the Port consider an amphitheater as part of its long-term planning is a step in that direction.
The waterfront is one of Olympia's greatest assets. The Port should create a waterfront that people want to visit every week, not just during special events.
Friday, June 19 Report this