After strong opener, Seattle businesses expect bigger World Cup turnout Friday
Seattle prepares for massive crowds during USA vs Australia match
Seattle already saw impressive crowds for the city's first match on Monday, but come Friday, the downtown core is expected to be even more packed for the USA vs Australia match.
SEATTLE - Businesses in Pioneer Square are preparing for another surge of soccer fans after Sound Transit reported approximately 210,000 game-day boardings during Seattle’s first FIFA World Cup match on Monday. That's roughly equivalent to the population of Tacoma.
According to Sound Transit, the total marked one of the busiest days in the history of the region’s light rail system.
As anticipation builds for Friday’s match, business owners say they are stocking up and staffing up to accommodate what they expect will be even larger crowds.
Businesses stock up for increase in fans
At Sid’s Tavern in Pioneer Square, owner Farshid Varamini said he has significantly increased inventory ahead of the next round of matches.
"We have probably brought in enough kegs of beer to support three Seahawk games," said Varamini. "So I think we should be OK but here’s my challenge to the US and Australia fans. Please run us dry."
Sid’s Tavern in Pioneer Square prepares for big crowds during Friday's USA vs Australia match. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Varamini said his business is located along a major route to Seattle’s stadiums.
"It’s an artery to the stadium, both stadiums," he said.
According to Varamini, demand during Monday’s World Cup match exceeded expectations.
"We opened Sid’s for a beer garden and I actually had to hold people at the door at 8 a.m. because we couldn’t let people in. It was that busy," he said.
The tavern plans to open at 7 a.m. Friday, and Varamini said he expects attendance to be at least double what he experienced earlier in the week.
Major sales increases
Businesses across Pioneer Square also reported strong sales during Monday’s match.
According to Alliance for Pioneer Square, Lowlander Brewing experienced its best day since the NFC Championship game. John DeLeo, owner of DeLeo’s Pizza recorded sales seven times higher Monday than a typical day and is anticipating that figure could rise to 10 times normal levels Friday.
Belgium fans march through the streets ahead of their match at Seattle Stadium. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Australian fans to boost attendance
Many of those visitors are expected to travel from Vancouver, British Columbia, according to people already in town for the tournament.
Simon Minness, who was visiting Seattle from Melbourne, said he expects thousands of Australian supporters to make the trip south for Friday’s match.
"So they’re definitely coming down from the north," said Minness. "I think there’s going to be 5,000 to 10,000 Aussies here at least. We’ll turn it green and gold."
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The Source: Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.