Bellingham's official World Cup Fan Zone is back in action today for a round of 32 double header. The Bellingham Fan Zone at the Trackside Beer Garden location of Kulshan Brewing is hosting two matches on Wednesday, July 1, with a second big screen set up in the extended beer garden to handle the crowds.
The afternoon match kicks off at 1 p.m.: Belgium vs. Senegal, a round of 32 matchup tied to the Seattle host city matches. Then at 5 p.m., the United States faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in what will likely be the more heavily attended of the two games, given how deep interest in the men's national team has run in Bellingham throughout this tournament cycle.
Starting at 4 p.m., attendees get a shot at winning a coveted Bellingham scarf by spinning the prize wheel set up at the event. Other giveaways are also available. The scarves have become something of a collector's item at Fan Zone events in Bellingham this summer, with earlier distributions selling out quickly.
Kulshan Brewing's Trackside location sits in Bellingham's Sunnyland neighborhood, offering a large outdoor beer garden that the Fan Zone organizers have been using as their primary venue. The extended beer garden configuration today suggests organizers are expecting a big turnout, particularly for the USA match. Kulshan Brewing has been a cornerstone of Bellingham's craft beer community since opening in 2012, and the venue's outdoor space makes it one of the better places in town to watch an outdoor event with a crowd.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it a uniquely close experience for Pacific Northwest fans. Seattle is one of the official host cities for the tournament, meaning several matches are being played just 90 miles south of Bellingham at Lumen Field. The proximity has generated unusually high local interest, and Fan Zone events in Bellingham have drawn consistent crowds throughout the group stage and into the knockout rounds.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's appearance in the round of 32 is notable for Bellingham specifically: the city has a significant Bosnian immigrant community, particularly in the neighborhood around the Grandview area, and members of that community have been among the most visible fans at local events throughout the tournament. Today's match at 5 p.m. is expected to bring out that contingent in force.
For soccer fans who have been following the tournament from home, the Fan Zone experience offers a chance to watch with a crowd in a setting designed around the match rather than around eating dinner. There are no tickets or cover charges; the Trackside Beer Garden is open to the public during Fan Zone hours, with food and beer available from Kulshan and any participating vendors.
More details on the full Fan Zone schedule, including upcoming matches and venue information, can be found at bellingham.org/fanzone. For those who want a full Fourth of July weekend preview in Whatcom County, more on local events is available here.
