Seattle police chief details security plans ahead of FIFA World Cup matches, says city has been preparing ‘for years’

With hundreds of thousands of soccer fans set to pour into Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Seattle Police Department (SPD) Chief Shon Barnes said the city has been preparing, behind the scenes, for years and is ready for both the crowds and potential threats.

The city is expecting roughly 750,000 visitors during six World Cup matches between June 15 and July 6 at what will be called Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) for a brief period. The tournament here has been designated a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) 2 event by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEAR 2 is defined as a significant event with national and/or international importance that may require some level of federal interagency support.

“That’s just a designation from Homeland Security about the seriousness and the opportunity for violence and threats,” Barnes said on “The Gee and Ursula Show.” “This is a very serious event. We want it to be fun. We want people to have a great experience.”

Highly visible police presence

Barnes said fans can expect a large, visible police presence on each match day, with officers in special FIFA‑style uniforms intended to be both welcoming and a clear deterrent.

“This is not what I wear every day, but this is what the department decided on. You will see officers dressed like me, about 400 each game day, donning what you see me with on today, so we can be visible, we can be present, and we can deter any bad actors,” Barnes said.

While the uniforms will stand out, the chief stressed that much of the security operation will be deliberately less obvious.

“There’ll be some things that you will see and some things that you will not see,” Barnes said. “So, for bad actors or people who want to engage in human trafficking or anything that is intended on harming other people, be careful, because you never know who you’re going to be talking to.”

Barnes said World Cup security planning in Seattle started more than two years ago, even before he took over as chief. The department is coordinating closely with federal, state, and regional partners to monitor threats, secure the stadium area, and manage the massive influx of visitors.

Road closures, ‘bubble’ around stadium

For Seattle residents and visitors heading to matches, Barnes’ message is straightforward: plan ahead and be patient.

Road closures will begin hours before kickoff on match days, and vehicle access around the stadium will be heavily restricted.

“There’s going to be a lot of walking. We’re going to be restricting vehicle traffic for a reason,” he said. “There’ll be, if you will, a bubble around Seattle Stadium, as it will be called, so you’re going to be walking.”

Barnes is urging fans to rely on public transportation, arrive early, and follow stadium and event rules.

“Take advantage of our public transportation system here, know what the rules are about what you can bring in, what you cannot, make sure you have your clear bags, stay hydrated,” he said.

His goal, he said, is for fans to focus on the matches — not on security.

“What I want people to know is worry about having a good time, cheering for your team, or just enjoying soccer, or picking a team when you get there, because I will be worried about public safety,” Barnes said. “We have plenty of partners, plenty of officers, plenty of great plans that started over two years ago … I think we’re going to have a good experience.”

Message to would‑be offenders

While emphasizing that Seattle wants to be a welcoming host city, Barnes’ warning to anyone thinking of exploiting the crowds — from violent offenders to human traffickers was blunt: “For bad actors or people who want to engage in human trafficking or anything that is intended on harming other people, be careful, because you never know who you’re going to be talking to.”

As World Cup kickoff approaches, Barnes said his department will remain focused on its core task: keeping fans, residents, and visitors safe — both in ways the public can see and in ways they can’t.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.

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