King County Executive Zahilay Announces Free Rides on Waterfront Shuttle Starting May 21 Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™ in Seattle

King County Metro service, with free fares sponsored by SeattleFWC26, and $500k investment from the City of Seattle, will offer fast, free connections across downtown and on Match Days this summer

SUMMARY

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson are kicking off Seattle’s soccer summer early with the launch of free rides on new waterfront shuttle service beginning May 21 through Labor Day.

Operated by King County Metro and sponsored by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26), the new shuttle will provide frequent, car-free connections between Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pioneer Square, Seattle Stadium, and the Chinatown-International District.

During Seattle’s six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, Metro will also offer subsidized free rides on separate Match Day shuttles with fares sponsored by SeattleFWC26 and its partners to help move fans and visitors throughout downtown.

STORY

King County Metro will begin summer waterfront shuttle service on May 21, offering free rides and frequent connections between the newly transformed Seattle waterfront and downtown destinations through Labor Day. With support from SeattleFWC26, this years’ service expands to include the Chinatown-International District and will be complemented by free rides on new Match Day shuttles during FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. Together, these services are designed to help residents and visitors move easily to and through downtown Seattle throughout the summer.

“We are welcoming the world to King County this summer and inviting everyone to leave the driving to us,” said Executive Zahilay. “With free rides on new waterfront shuttle service, it will be easy to move between the Space Needle, the waterfront, Chinatown-International District, and fan events across downtown Seattle. We are ready to help people get where they want to go.”

The waterfront shuttle will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, through Labor Day, Sept. 7. On match days, service will increase to every 10 minutes to meet higher demand.

Riders can take a one-seat trip between key destinations, including:

• Seattle Center and the Space Needle
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Pike Place Market and Overlook Walk
• Waterfront Park and the Seattle Great Wheel
• Pioneer Square
• Seattle Stadium
• Chinatown-International District
• Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50

The Waterfront Shuttle began as a community-driven effort led by nonprofit Friends of Waterfront Park and the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association of businesses to make it easier for people to reach Seattle’s central waterfront. As the waterfront has transformed into a 20-acre civic space, the shuttle has evolved alongside it—growing from a locally organized program into a regionally supported service connecting neighborhoods across downtown.

This year’s shuttle service improves access to neighborhoods across downtown, increasing opportunities to explore, shop, participate in events and support the local economy during a busy summer season.

 “We’re getting ready to welcome the world to Seattle, and we want people to be able to move through the city easily and comfortably,” said Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. “We want transit to be convenient, dependable and irresistibly good. This shuttle connects some of our most important neighborhoods and public spaces, and it’s part of a broader effort to make transit in Seattle the first choice for getting around.”

In addition to the waterfront route, Metro will operate free Match Day shuttles during Seattle’s six World Cup matches. SeattleFWC26, thanks to its partners the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Boeing, Port of Seattle, Microsoft, University of Washington, and Emerald Queen Casino are contributing more than $100,000 dollars to subsidize free rides for both Match Day shuttles and Waterfront Shuttles this summer. These shuttles will add capacity across the transit system, helping fans and visitors get to games and events more easily.Match Day service will connect riders to:

• Fan celebrations at Seattle Center, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall
• Pioneer Square
• Pike Place Market
• Third Avenue transit corridor
• Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50

“Seattle FWC26, along with our Host City Supporters and donors, are proud to sponsor free shuttle service all summer long so that fans, visitors, and neighbors can move through downtown without the hassle,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of SeattleFWC26. “From Seattle Center to the waterfront, from Pioneer Square to the Chinatown-International District, we want everyone to experience the best of this city, and we want it to be easy.”

“The Metro Shuttle is about making the waterfront feel truly open and accessible to everyone,” said Joy Shigaki, President and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park. “The easier it is to get here, the more this park becomes part of people’s everyday lives—and a place where the city comes together, especially as we prepare to welcome the world to Seattle.”

“I am thrilled that the Waterfront Shuttle will be back this summer, now under the King County Metro umbrella,” said Jorge L. Barón, King County Councilmember. “For riders, this means that they can enjoy everything the Waterfront has to offer and connect car-free to and from the International District, Pioneer Square, and Seattle Center.  I’m thankful to the FIFA Local Organizing Committee for their sponsorship to make fares free this year,  the Friends of Waterfront Park for their stewardship of this shuttle over the past several years, and my predecessor on the Council, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, for her advocacy on this. Transit connections to our beautiful waterfront are essential, and this is an important step. I’ll see you aboard!”

Regional transit expansion

Transit agencies across the region are coordinating to make public transportation the easiest way to travel during World Cup matches and summer events.

In addition to shuttle service, King County Metro will expand:

• Bus service
• Water Taxi and shuttle connections
• Access paratransit services
• Metro Flex on-demand service

The Seattle Streetcar will run more frequently on match days, and Sound Transit will increase service on the 1 and 2 Line trains.

More Information

• Metro’s SEA26 soccer web page is a hub for maps and helpful travel information for visitors and local fans, with many language options available.
• Learn more about how the City of Seattle is preparing for match days on their FIFA Mens World Cup 2026 web page.
• Fans also can visit the SeattleFWC26 web page to learn more about the matches and transportation options.