Seattle CID Plans 4 p.m. Rally to Lure World Cup Fans as Sales Drop Up to 20%

1 articles · Updated · KOMO News · Jul 6

Hing Hay Park will host a 4 p.m. rally Monday before the U.S.-Belgium Round of 16 match, as Chinatown-International District organizers make a final push to draw fans into the neighborhood.
Merchants say the World Cup has fallen short of promised gains, with some businesses reporting sales down as much as 20% from a year earlier even though the district sits blocks from Seattle Stadium.
Participants plan to walk toward the stadium handing out visitor guides and inviting fans to eat and shop, then return for a community watch party; organizers stressed the event is not an anti-FIFA protest.
City officials say they have tried to channel visitors into the area through a tournament shuttle used by more than 16,000 riders over Seattle's first four matches, plus added police, outreach workers and ambassadors.
For the historic district, Monday's event is likely the last direct chance to capture World Cup spending before tournament play leaves Seattle, while also underscoring longer-running public safety and economic concerns.