DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Sports

Seattle World Cup barge gives soccer’s global language a waterfront home

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Seattle's professional soccer clubs, the Sounders and the Reign, have launched a unique waterfront venue for World Cup watch parties and youth soccer.
  • The venue features a mini soccer pitch on a barge, a large video screen, and amenities, inspired by the RAVE Foundation's mission to build 52 mini-pitches across Washington state.
  • The project, involving maritime companies and hospitality experts, aims to create a memorable fan experience and promote soccer accessibility for children.

Seattle is celebrating the World Cup with a unique waterfront venue: a barge transformed into a fan zone and mini-soccer pitch. The project, spearheaded by the Seattle Sounders and Reign professional soccer clubs, aims to provide an unforgettable experience for fans watching the global tournament.

If you give a child a ball, and a place to use that, in (a) community that maybe doesn't have access to a free park ... it's going to change your community.

— Courtney CarterCourtney Carter, chief revenue officer of the two clubs, explained the impact of providing children with a place to play soccer.

The barge, a testament to the RAVE Foundation's commitment to building 52 mini-soccer pitches in underserved Washington communities, serves as a central hub for celebrations. "If you give a child a ball, and a place to use that, in (a) community that maybe doesn't have access to a free park ... it's going to change your community," said Courtney Carter, chief revenue officer for the clubs.

What if we put the 52nd pitch ​on a barge, put a screen at the end of it, and we delivered it to the waterfront of the City of Seattle and said, 'Here's a global game, ​come celebrate.'

— Courtney CarterCarter described the inspiration behind the unique World Cup watch party venue.

Inspired by Puget Sound, the idea of hosting watch parties on a barge was initially met with skepticism. "Are you crazy?" was a common reaction, Carter recalled. However, maritime company Western Towboat, known for its unconventional projects, embraced the challenge. "If it floats, we can move it, and if you have an idea, we can usually make it happen," said vice president Russ Shrewsbury.

Are you crazy?

— Courtney CarterCarter recalled the initial reactions from maritime companies when pitched the barge idea.

The venue boasts an 18-foot-by-30-foot video screen, concession stands housed in shipping containers, and a VIP area. It will also feature stadium staples like the Seattle dog, a local favorite. Beyond the World Cup festivities, the barge will host free soccer clinics, further extending the reach of the RAVE Foundation's mission.

If it floats, we can move it, and if you have an idea, we can usually make it happen.

— Russ ShrewsburyRuss Shrewsbury, vice president and co-owner of Western Towboat, expressed his company's willingness to undertake unique projects.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog