SeattleLinked Foundation Expands World Cup 2026 Community Programming in Partnership with Seattle Center, Brave New World, and The Black Eco Chamber (BECO)
June 18, 2026 – SEATTLE, WA — As Seattle welcomes the world for World Cup 2026, the SeattleLinked Foundationis positioning the city’s local businesses, cultural destinations, and community experiences at the center of the global spotlight.
Built as a local business and cultural discovery platform, SeattleLinked serves as a curated guide for where to eat, shop, stay, gather, explore, and engage throughout the city during the tournament season and beyond. While the platform is launching in connection with FIFA World Cup 2026, its broader mission is to create a lasting discovery and visibility tool that continues to support Seattle’s diverse local business ecosystem, future global events, tourism, and community-centered economic opportunity long after the final match is played.
“The SeattleLinked Foundation’s mission is to provide direct access to the community and its businesses, highlighting those making a positive impact locally who may not receive global recognition,” says Chairman Abin Nellams.
As part of the partnership, the legendary Pacific Northwest entertainment/multi media firm Brave New World will drive marketing, promotion, business outreach, and cultural engagement for SeattleLinked’s World Cup-related efforts through its upstart black business membership program, BECO (The Black Eco Chamber). The collaboration is designed to help more local businesses understand how to participate, get listed, and position themselves for increased visibility during one of the largest global sporting events Seattle has ever hosted.
The partnership also includes a planned music concert activation produced by Brave New World at Seattle Center during Seattle’s World Cup festivities. The event is being developed as a cultural gathering that brings together live music, community connection, local business visibility, and the international energy surrounding the tournament.
“This opportunity is born from the idea of doing great things for our community,” says Shyan Selah, the founder of Brave New World and BECO.”This is what it’s all about when it comes to taking what’s beautiful about Seattle and moving as a collective force to improve the experience for all of our communities. Celebrating the World Cup at Seattle Center by highlighting culture, business and connecting our communities is a pillar of the Brave New World brand.”
Seattle Center is expected to serve as one of the city’s major public gathering places during Seattle’s World Cup celebration, bringing fans together for match viewing, cultural programming, and community connection. Seattle Center’s World Soccer Fan Celebration includes shared viewing experiences centered around the Armory, with expanded outdoor watch parties at the Mural Amphitheatre and other campus locations on select match days.
SeattleLinked’s role is to help extend that energy into the broader city by connecting fans, residents, and visitors to Seattle-area businesses, restaurants, cultural spaces, entertainment venues, service providers, and community experiences beyond the primary match and viewing locations.
Our partnership with Seattle Center during the FIFA World Cup 2026 represents an extraordinary opportunity to unite the world in Seattle,” says Hans Biteghat, Vice Chair of the SeattleLinked Foundation.
“Through the Global Fan Zone and community-driven activations, we aim to create an inclusive gathering place where residents, visitors, and fans from all 48 participating nations can celebrate together. We want every community to see itself reflected in this historic event, fostering cultural understanding, supporting local businesses and artists, and leaving a legacy of connection, pride, and belonging that will continue long after the final match is played.”
With six World Cup matches hosted in Seattle and a full month of fan activity expected across the region, SeattleLinked is working to ensure the tournament’s visibility reaches beyond match days and major venues. Through its directory, map, listings, event updates, and partner-supported outreach, the platform is creating a practical bridge between international visitors and the local businesses, neighborhoods, and cultural communities that define Seattle.
SeattleLinked’s long-term vision is to become a year-round local discovery platform that can support Seattle’s future tourism, major events, conventions, festivals, cultural activations, and community business development. By launching during World Cup 2026, SeattleLinked is using a historic global moment to build infrastructure that can continue serving businesses, residents, visitors, and community partners well into the future.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
Seattle-area businesses that want to be included in SeattleLinked’s World Cup 2026 directory can apply through SeattleLinked at www.seattlelinked.org by selecting “List Your Business” or “Get Listed.
Businesses may choose from multiple listing tiers, including Basic, Gold, Platinum, and Elite. Each tier determines visibility across SeattleLinked’s directory, search, and map features. Listings are hand-reviewed for quality, and approved businesses typically go live within 24 to 48 hours.
SeattleLinked is currently accepting listings across categories including restaurants and dining, hotels and hospitality, healthcare, retail and shopping, entertainment and nightlife, arts and culture, and transportation. The platform also allows visitors to filter listings by category, tier, language, and World Cup-related deals.
About SeattleLinked
SeattleLinked is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and independent local business discovery platform launched in connection with World Cup 2026 and designed to operate year-round beyond the tournament. The platform connects visitors and residents to Seattle-area businesses and partners across dining, hotels, retail, entertainment, arts, healthcare, transportation, culture, and community experiences. Seattle Linked is not affiliated with FIFA.
About BECO
The Black Eco Chamber is a business chamber and incubator-style network founded by Shyan Selah to support Black entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and business owners throughout the Pacific Northwest. BECO provides programming, networking, business visibility, and community engagement opportunities designed to help members build relationships, access resources, and grow their businesses. Learn more at www.beconw.com.
