City Launches Grant Programs for Bellingham Soccer Fan Zone Partnerships and More Downtown Activities and Art
Tourism funding supports local businesses and organizations to enliven the community
The City of Bellingham recently launched two grant programs intended to enrich and enliven community culture and celebrations in 2026. Together, the grants will infuse over $400,000 of tourism dollars and state funding toward local businesses, community organizations, artists, and community-builders during the world's games next summer.
Bellingham fan zone grants build community around soccer
The City is inviting proposals from potential project partners for community watch parties, soccer-themed events, and other celebrations to enhance the Bellingham fan zone during the world's favorite soccer tournament coming to North America in 2026.The City is seeking proposals in four categories: community watch parties, designated fan zone venues, downtown business readiness, and family-friendly soccer-themed activities.
"We're going to celebrate the summer of soccer Bellingham-style. Investing our resources to showcase the best of Bellingham and support the businesses, venues, community groups, and activities we love - that’s how we want to put Bellingham on the global stage," said Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund.
The fan zone grant program is primarily funded through local tourism funds - lodging taxes collected on overnight stays at hotels and motels. A $50,000 Department of Commerce grant, passed through the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, will also support projects in the downtown business readiness category. In total, up to $180,000 is available for fan zone grants.
Funds will be focused on supporting projects that will make memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike, with a concentrated series of opportunities to celebrate soccer during June and July 2026.
Details about the grant program and application materials can be found at cob.org/fan-zone-rfp. The application period is open now through Dec. 10, 2025.
Right-sizing the fan zone celebration
When Bellingham was named as one of nine fan zones in Washington State in January 2026, fan zone organizers were asked to consider hosting large community watch parties for each of the six soccer matches to be held in Seattle. Yet, after initial planning and feasibility analysis, the cost for large-scale events proved prohibitive in light of tightening budgets.
"We started out dreaming big, but it didn't pencil out to host such large events," said Tara Sundin, Community Development Manager with the City of Bellingham and a lead fan zone organizer. "We knew we'd need to scale back if we wanted this to be an accessible, inclusive event that wasn't cost-prohibitive for families, people on a budget, and the City."
With local governments dealing with constrained budgets, fan zone leaders opted not to invest the significant local government funding it would require for stadium-sized watch parties.
"These are the tough choices we have to make as we face a lean budget year," said Mayor Lund. "We had to make the responsible choice to right-size our approach. We knew something on a larger scale would require additional funds, and we don't have the City resources to make more investments in 2026.
"This shift opens the door for us to support local businesses and organizations, putting the money into our community and creating meaningful celebrations." Mayor Lund continued.
A third round for Downtown Activation and Beautification Grants
The popular and successful downtown activation and beautification grant program - which brought projects like Sunset Alley, Find Billy, and the Lakeway underpass mural - is back for a third round and also now accepting applications. Up to $250,000 of lodging tax tourism funds are available for multiple projects to bring art, events, exhibits, and experiences to the downtown core.
While not explicitly tied to the fan zone, the downtown grant program will complement and add to the experience for visitors and locals in downtown during the worldwide soccer tournament.
"In our continuing efforts to support downtown, we have funded projects that bring joy and beauty to the community in small, everyday experiences," said Tara Sundin. "These projects have enlivened vacant spaces with art and activities, brought the community together to celebrate the arts, and supported local artists and downtown businesses."
The downtown grants are a signature part of Mayor Lund's Downtown Forward initiative, intended to focus efforts on the cultural and economic heart of Bellingham. Over the three rounds of downtown grant funding since late 2024, the City has committed over $1 million to activation and beautification projects to increase visitation and support arts and culture downtown.
Proposals will be accepted through Dec. 10, 2025. Details can be found on the City's downtown grant program website.
