Jan. 17, 2026 — Redmond, Wash. Redmond is intensifying preparations for an expected regional influx of 750,000 visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at nearby Seattle’s Lumen Field from June 11 to July 19, focusing on short-term rentals, public safety, emergency preparedness, and community events through the city’s “Redmond’s Ready for the World” campaign.
The city recently held an in-person session on Jan. 13 at OneEastside to brief homeowners on new short-term rental rules adopted by the City Council in December 2025, which clarify licensing requirements, compliance, and good-neighbor standards for rentals under 30 nights. Speakers from the city, Airbnb, and OneRedmond provided tips on hosting during high-demand events like the World Cup, including pricing tools, guest expectations, safety, and listing optimization.
Redmond allows renters to host STRs, positioning it to capture demand from the tournament, which could generate a $929 million economic benefit for Washington state.
An upcoming Information and Strategy Session is scheduled for 9:30–11 a.m. on Feb. 9 at Redmond City Hall, emphasizing public safety, emergency preparedness, and community readiness. The event will feature Sounders FC legends James Riley and Brad Evans discussing competing teams and those headed to Seattle, with networking, presentations, and light refreshments. The city announced the event on X, encouraging businesses and residents to RSVP and contribute to readiness efforts.
Join us from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Redmond City Hall for the next Information and Strategy Session, focused on public safety, emergency preparedness, and community readiness ahead of the summer’s World Cup event.
The campaign includes grants for watch parties, a July 19 final viewing at Marymoor Park, monthly “Soccer Story” contests with prizes like signed soccer balls, and legacy projects accessible via the new light rail line. A recent winner, Jenny Lisk, shared her soccer connection to Redmond in a video. The city highlighted the initiative on X, inviting submissions.
Regional preparations note Airbnb’s FIFA partnership and predictions of significant hosting earnings amid the event’s draw.
