Host Watch Parties

A way to create a great experience for customers and visitors is to host a watch party for the World Cup matches.

The matches will be played on Fox and Telemundo.  You will need to contact those broadcasters to ensure your account includes the World Cup.

If you’re inviting the public to your watch party, you may need a license from FIFA.  Here is a brief summary of the three Public Viewing license categories:

1) Commercial Public Viewing Event. If you charge a direct, or indirect admission fee, or if you generate revenue through sponsorships or other commercial rights, your watch party would be a commercial public viewing event and you would need to purchase a license through FIFA’s online event portal.

2) Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event. If your event does not involve commercial activities like admission fees or sponsorships you would not need to purchase license from FIFA, even if the event is in commercial establishments like restaurants, hotels, pubs, clubs, and bars as long as this type of event is part of the establishment’s normal business operations (for example, a bar that already shows videos).  Even though FIFA does not require you to get a formal license, you would still need to follow their regulations.

3) Special Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event. If your event is otherwise a non-commercial event but it has a capacity of more than 1,000 spectators, it would require a license from FIFA.

We strongly encourage you to review the Seattle Sports Commission’s Watch Party Playbook to understand when FIFA requires a license for your watch party.  To apply for a Public Viewing license or hear the requirements from FIFA directly, we encourage you to check out their Public Viewing Platform or email them at publicviewing@fifa.org.

Tips About Permits for Watch Parties

If your watch party includes activities that are much larger or different than your normal business operations, you may need food permits, building permits, or special event permits from the Seattle-King Department of Public Health or the City of Tukwila.  See Tips About Permits for Special Events for more information.

If you will have special offers or host special events or watch parties, we encourage you to let us know at Business@TukwilaWA.gov so we can help promote your business!