Celebrating Disability Pride Month: How SeattleFWC26 is hosting a World Cup for Everyone

July is officially Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the history, achievements, and diverse experiences of the disability community. Here at the SeattleFWC26 Local Organizing Committee (LOC), we are celebrating by reaffirming our core mission: ensuring the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™ is the most inclusive, welcoming, and accessible mega-event in sporting history.

SeattleFWC26 is deeply committed to removing barriers for all fans, including people with disabilities, those with limited mobility, individuals needing visual and sensory accessibility, and anyone requiring language and cultural access support.

To turn this vision into reality, the LOC established a dedicated Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). The AAC actively shaped the aspects of FWC26 that the LOC has control over, elevating best practices at the Seattle Stadium, and documenting lessons learned to leave a lasting blueprint for future global events.

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Here is a look at the ACC initiatives and partnerships shaping an accessible World Cup experience in the Pacific Northwest:

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Navigating the City Safely and Confidently

An accessible tournament starts long before fans arrive at the stadium gates. The LOC has partnered with local and global experts to ensure seamless travel across Seattle.

• Downtown Accessibility Assessments: In partnership with Visit Seattle and Wheel the World, the LOC conducted thorough accessibility assessments of key high-traffic pedestrian zones downtown. These reviews focused on transit centers, parks, major tourist attractions, Seattle Center, and stops along the "Unity Loop" to guarantee visitors of all mobilities can navigate the city safely using public and non-motorized transit.

• AccessMap Wayfinding Integration: Partnering with The Taskar Center for Accessible Technology  at the University of Washington, the LOC is integrating AccessMap Multimodal into the Unity Loop Map and our official mobile gaming app, SEA&WIN. This tech bridges vital gaps by providing real-time data on pedestrian paths, elevation changes, curb ramps, and transit stations so fans can customize routes to their specific mobility needs.

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Digital Inclusion at the Core

Accessibility isn't just physical—it's digital. SeattleFWC26 is ensuring that all fans can interact with tournament content seamlessly.

• WCAG Level A Compliance: The LOC worked closely with University of Washington IT Accessible Technology Services to ensure the official website is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level A compliant, removing digital barriers for users with disabilities.

• The SEA&WIN App: Built with inclusivity at its core, the SEA&WIN app helps residents and visitors explore Washington State. Beyond providing mobility-friendly routing via AccessMap, the platform highlights specific accessibility features at various "Stops" throughout the region, helping users confidently navigate public spaces and neighborhoods.

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Breaking Barriers in Fan Experience & Tech

The LOC is pioneering next-generation technology to bring the beautiful game to life for blind and low-vision fans.

• OneCourt's Tactile Broadcast Debut: During the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, SeattleFWC26 and OneCourt hosted fans from Seattle Children’s, the National Federation of the Blind of Washington, and the NW Association for Blind Athletes. Fans utilized OneCourt's innovative tactile gaming technology to trace the movement of the ball and players on the pitch in real-time, marking the historic debut of a live soccer experience for blind and low-vision audiences.

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Building a Legacy for Adaptive Sports

Seattle is quickly becoming a premier Pacific Northwest hub for adaptive soccer through strong community and international partnerships.

• Blind Soccer Momentum: Following a landmark Blind Soccer Clinic in late 2025 alongside the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, SeattleFWC26 expanded its programming significantly in May 2026. This included community conversations, the Redefining the Game: Blind and Deaf Soccer on the World Stage initiative, and a high-profile Blind Soccer International Tournament featuring the national teams of the U.S., Kazakhstan, and Peru.

• Infrastructure Legacy: Long-term investments are already taking shape on the ground, highlighted by the upcoming opening of Tacoma’s Visa Street Soccer Park, which features state-of-the-art adaptive sport capabilities to serve regional athletes for generations to come.

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Welcoming Every Fan: The Watch Party Playbook

True accessibility extends far beyond the stadium walls and into local neighborhoods across the state.

To support local communities, the LOC and the AAC developed Welcoming Every Fan: Accessibility at Watch Parties for the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™. This comprehensive playbook serves as a guide for event organizers across Washington State to host inclusive viewings.

The guide emphasizes that accessibility is a foundational element of successful planning—not an afterthought. By offering practical strategies and shared resources, the playbook ensures that older adults, families, individuals with disabilities, and those with cultural access needs can participate fully, safely, and with dignity.

"Accessibility is not an add-on; it is a core part of who we are and how we host." This Disability Pride Month, SeattleFWC26 is proud to champion these advancements, ensuring that the beautiful game can truly be celebrated by beautiful minds and bodies of all abilities.

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