News and events
From research and innovation to community events, cultural programming and campus celebrations, the UW is helping bring the energy of the World Cup to life across campus and throughout Seattle. Explore the stories, events and ideas connecting the University of Washington to the world’s game as thousands of fans and billions of viewers tune in for the most watched sporting event in the world.
Featured news and stories
More than a game
Professor Ron Krabill and UW students Maggie Keenan and Sam Hurst study how sports shape Seattle—and vice versa.
Pitch purple
The UW joins the world’s biggest sporting event—the World Cup.
Explore the politics and culture behind the World Cup
World Cup: The Syllabus was created by the UW Global Sport Lab as a way for anyone to learn more about the history and politics of the tournament.
Professor brings human rights expertise to the World Cup
In a Q&A, law professor Anita Ramasastry shares how her work is helping shape human rights standards for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Former Husky standout will play for U.S. in World Cup
Cristian Roldan, the former University of Washington and current Seattle Sounders player, earned a spot on the roster.
Life goals
He was a soccer-loving kid from Wapato, Washington — and now Luis Carmona, ’17, ’22, works with the Seattle Sounders’ and Seattle Reign’s RAVE Foundation to give kids better access to play.
Huskies crowned champions
The UW men’s soccer team’s 2025 season was historic, capturing the program’s first-ever NCAA national championship.
Believe the hype
MaKayla Woods came to the University of Washington to be accepted for who she was. What she found was a place where she could become her best self.
Featured events and activities
Global Soccer Watch Parties
Join other fans at the UW’s Metropolitan Tract in downtown Seattle to watch games on outdoor LED walls, with two locations to catch all the action. Free and open to all ages.
Visit the Selfless Station
As part of the Unity Loop, the University of Washington is hosting a bold, welcoming landmark designed to shine a spotlight on community impact during the World Cup. Selfless Stations are large‑scale installations at key stops along the Unity Loop, serving as gathering points and photo opportunities that support the local organizations strengthening our communities. Each Selfless Station will feature a different nonprofit organization. At the UW Selfless Station, you can support UW students with a donation to the Husky Promise.
After a May 27 unveiling on campus: visitors can find the UW Selfless Station at the Seattle Soccer House at Pacific Place from June 11–July 6.
Caption: Developed in partnership with Seattle FWC26 (the city’s nonprofit organizing committee) and local artist Shogo Ota, Selfless Stations are part of a broader “Sea Beacons” project. They combine public art, community fundraising, and symbolic connection — much like historical beacons that guided travelers and marked important places.
The World (Cup) comes to Seattle
Join a series of online talks hosted by the UW’s Global Sport Lab, featuring experts discussing the geopolitical, local and sporting implications of the World Cup.
Follow the light: the UW & the SEA Beacon Program
As an official Seattle World Cup Host City Supporter, the UW is participating in the SEA Beacon program, a statewide initiative to support local communities and guide visitors and locals to the best that Washington state has to offer.
In the form of colorful, illuminated whale tales and waves, SEA Beacons are 3D visual markers installed in storefronts and public spaces to help visitors explore neighborhoods and discover local favorites. Designed by Seattle artist Shogo Ota and inspired by Seattle’s World Cup whale tail and wave imagery, each beacon signals that a location is part of the official World Cup celebration.
More than 300 SEA Beacons will appear throughout Seattle and across the state — creating a welcoming network that supports local businesses, nonprofits and community spaces.
Explore with the SEA&WIN App
Many of the SEA Beacon locations are featured in the SEA&WIN mobile app, a free, interactive experience where users can:
- Discover beacon locations across Seattle and Washington
- Explore small businesses and regional destinations
- Follow curated routes like the Unity Loop in downtown Seattle
- Play, learn and earn points toward prizes by visiting participating locations
Whether you’re attending matches, exploring fan zones or simply enjoying the city, SEA&WIN turns discovery into connection.
Locations
You can find the UW‑donated SEA Beacons at the following locations:
- Visitor Center (UW in Seattle) — Odegaard Library: 022 Odegaard, Seattle, WA
- The HUB (UW in Seattle) — 4001 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA
- Burke Museum — 4300 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA
- Henry Art Gallery — 15th Ave. NE + NE 41st St., Seattle, WA
- UW Bothell campus — 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA
- UW Tacoma campus – YMCA Recreation Center — 1710 Market St., Tacoma, WA
- UW Spokane Center — 840 E Spokane Falls Blvd, Ste 407
- KEXP Gathering Space – Seattle Center — 472 1st Ave. N, Seattle, WA
- Duke’s Chowder House — 1 Lake Union Way, Seattle, WA
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel — 411 University St., Seattle, WA
- Georgetown Brewing — 5214 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA
- Life on Mars — 722 E Pike St., Seattle, WA
- Lowlander Brewery (Pioneer Square) — 1109 S. Washington St., Seattle, WA
- Tai Tung Restaurant — 655 S. King St., Seattle, WA
- Tamarind Tree Restaurant — 1036 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA
- Top Pot Doughnuts (5th Ave) — 2124 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
- Novelty Hill–Januik Winery — 14710 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE, Woodinville, WA
- Bale Breaker Brewing (Yakima) — 1801 Birchfield Rd., Yakima, WA
- University Book Store (The Ave) — 4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA
- University Book Store (Downtown, 4th Ave.) — 1313 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
- Simply Seattle (University Village) — 2615 NE University Village St., Seattle, WA
- Simply Seattle (Downtown – 1st Ave. / Alaskan Way) — 1401 1st Ave., Seattle, WA
Explore more World Cup activities
As a proud Host City Supporter, the University of Washington invites you to explore matches, events and celebrations across the city with the official Seattle World Cup calendar.