World Cup 2026

If you are someone who will engage in business within Seattle during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the City would like to share information with you. Seattle would like to help businesses better understand our tax and regulatory obligations.

If you are engaging in business in Seattle during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you may need to:

  • obtain a business license tax certificate,
  • file City business license tax returns,
  • comply with short-term rental regulatory requirements and/or
  • collect and remit admission tax or commercial parking tax.

If you are a business selling goods, tickets to events, parking, short-term rentals, or engaging in any other business activities in Seattle during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the City encourages you to contact us to determine your business license, tax, and regulatory requirements.

Please see the tax information below to learn more about specific city taxes and regulatory requirements for certain business activities. The hyperlinks will connect you to web pages with helpful information and relevant contact information for any questions.

Seattle Business License Anyone who engages in business in the City is required to obtain a business license tax certificate and file City business license tax returns. Persons who engage in business in Seattle must have a Seattle business license tax certificate, also known as a business license or general business license. You may find more information on our business license web page.
Seattle Short-Term Rental Requirements In Seattle, short-term rental (STR) operators are required to obtain a business license tax certificate, file a City business license tax return and obtain a Short-term Rental Regulatory License. You may find more information on our short-term rental web page.
Seattle Admission Tax Businesses that charge for admission to a place may be subject to the admission tax. The admission tax is added to the ticket price or other charge that attendees pay to enter entertainment venues or events in Seattle. Before you host any event that charges for entry, you must have an admission tax endorsement on your business license tax certificate. The Seattle Admission Tax rate is 0.05 (5%). The rate is applied to the full admission charge. Seattle Admission Tax does not apply to events taking place at Lumen Stadium and/or T-Mobile Park. You may find more information on our Admission Tax web page.
Seattle Commercial Parking Tax Businesses that charge for parking may be subject to the Seattle Commercial Parking Tax. This tax is added to the fee drivers pay to park in Seattle's commercial parking lots. Drivers pay the tax when they park. However, the business must charge and collect the tax. Then, the business must pay the collected amount when taxes are filed. The business is liable for the tax whether or not it is collected. In 2026, the City of Seattle’s commercial parking tax rate is 14.5%. The Seattle Commercial Parking Tax does not apply to parking at Lumen Stadium or T-Mobile Park facilities. You may find more information on our Commercial Parking Tax web page.
Washington State Department of Revenue For information on the State of Washington business license requirements and taxes, please visit the Washington Department of Revenue's World Cup 2026 web page.

Office of City Finance

Dwight Dively, Director
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 94669, Seattle, WA, 98124-4669
ocf@seattle.gov

Sign Up for Latest Updates

Subscribe

City Finance manages the financial operations of the City of Seattle and oversees the City’s financial controls and enterprise reporting while working to achieve the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council.