TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
425-556-2450 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Philly Marsh |
Interim Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Kimberly Dietz |
Interim Economic Development Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Kristen Raftis |
World Cup Planning Program Manager |
TITLE:
title
World Cup Program Annual Report
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The staff report on October 20, 2026, will provide a report of the World Cup program impacts and legacy.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan
• EV-18: Foster the creation of business districts that help small businesses thrive and that are centers of local commerce, community, and culture.
• EV-19: Enhance local arts, culture, recreation, nightlife, and social amenities that promote Redmond as an attractive place to work and live.
• EV-22: Support Redmond’s growth as a tourism destination and foster tourism-related initiatives that bring investment and economic benefit.
• EV-23: Allow for the equitable and multi-purpose use of public spaces and rights-of-way, including commercial uses such as outdoor dining, food/merchant kiosks, food trucks, and event and performance spaces.
2024 Economic Development Strategic Plan
• Action 6B.3. Support the development of district design guidelines, including signage, wayfinding, banners, lighting, and other urban design elements to reinforce visual district identity.
• Action 6B.4. Strengthen economic development communication support by partnering with the City’s Communications Division and/or creating additional staff capacity.
• Action 6C.5 Leverage large regional events, such as the World Cup to attract visitors to Redmond for economic impact.
• Action 6D.1. Celebrate Redmond’s diverse community through programming, enhancement of the built environment, new public art, and expanded retail offerings.
2024 Tourism Development Strategic Plan
• Enhancing Visitor Experience
o 7. Position and promote Redmond as a recreation destination within the region.
o 10. Promote and utilize the light rail stations to increase compression traffic from large events in other parts of the region such as Seattle.
o 18. Promote parks in Redmond’s urban centers as a destination, fostering a diverse range of programming to maintain its vibrancy and activate the surrounding area.
o 25. Encourage piloting and expanding new event concepts with the potential to drive overnight stays.
Building Collaborative Partnerships
• Strengthen the ongoing relationship with Marymoor Park with regular check-ins, updates, and support for existing events.
o 4. Enhance partnership with Redmond Town Center as a tourism retail asset and a venue for events.
o 12. Engage with the Seattle Sports Commission to bid on future events and leverage their network to extend Redmond’s reach and visibility as a host destination and accommodation supplier for local and regional activities.
o 2. Evaluate the city’s banner policy to increase awareness, promotion, and celebration of the unique Redmond events, experiences, and history.
o 7. Encourage district development, placemaking, and branding initiatives to enhance tourism assets, with a particular focus on districts accessible via light rail.
2023 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
• Reinforce and strengthen national incident management system (NIMS) principles for event planning and response.
• Maintain essential city services during continuity challenges and peak event times.
• Build and improve capabilities to distribute timely, accurate, reliable information to the public related to significant event updates, service impacts, or emergency situations.
• Build relationships with regional public safety and community partners to facilitate situational awareness and coordination for all-hazards.
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Seattle hosted six matches from the FIFA World Cup 26, including USA's second group fixture and two knockout games. With a new transformational transportation system, Redmond was ready to leverage this opportunity to welcome the World and highlight the City and community.
Along with the World Cup Core Team, the following planning subgroups met and implemented applicable programming over the past year.
• Watch Parties and Activations - Lead: Economic Development
o This group focused on watch party grants and logistics, Fútbol for All Speaker Series, and business activations.
• Communications - Lead: Communications
o This group focused on communications plan and strategy, internal and external communications, branding, and Mayor liaison.
• Emergency Preparedness - Lead: Fire Department
o This group focused on pre-planning for local and regional response, continuity of government, and coordinated communications.
• Public Safety and Response - Lead: Police Department
o This group focused on local and regional response, human trafficking awareness training, threat assessments, and coordinated communications.
• Operations and Logistics - Lead: Parks Department
o This group focused on the transportation corridor, maps, sidewalks, traffic flow, cable internet, and other critical operational functions.
• Finance - Lead: Finance Department
o This group will review the World Cup budget, track, and report expenses.
• Internal City of Redmond - Lead: Planning and Community Development
o The group activated City of Redmond employees who were interested in leading and supporting staff activities during and leading up to the World Cup. They also volunteered at city-sponsored events.
OUTCOMES:
The World Cup program provided an opportunity for an unforgettable experience for visitors, residents, and businesses by showcasing Redmond’s connectivity to the region, celebrating our diverse culture, and fostering an atmosphere of excitement and hospitality.
The World Cup Annual Report will showcase how the following initiatives were met:
1. Provide Safe and Enjoyable Experience for the Redmond Community
2. Brand and Promote Redmond as a Destination
3. Attract Visitation and Spending for Economic Impact
4. Foster Community Pride and Connection
5. Legacy Coalition Building for District Development and Branding
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
May 2025 - August 2026
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Meetings, events, questionnaires, and individual stakeholder outreach
• Feedback Summary:
Redmond residents and businesses, who have completed the questionnaires or met with staff, shared their excitement and gratitude regarding the World Cup programming in Redmond. More details are included in the Annual Report.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$2,000,000.00 budgeted and full accounting is included in the attachments.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000311
Budget Priority:
Vibrant & Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund, Grants, Sponsorship
$2,000,000 General Fund
$245,000 Sponsorship from Amazon for LED screen and World Cup activities
$100,000 State of Washington Grant
$60,000 Port of Seattle Grant
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
5/19/2026 |
Business Meeting |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: World Cup Annual Report
Attachment B: World Cup Highlights
Attachment C: SeattleFWC26 Executive Summary
Attachment D: World Cup Council Staff Report Presentation