Seattle’s skyline just got a World Cup makeover. As the city gears up to host matches for FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Space Needle has been transformed into a giant soccer ball. This is not an April Fools Day joke: as of today, June 5, the top of the Space Needle can be seen in its new, playful state by locals and visitors alike.
The idea came together through a collaboration between the Space Needle and Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 (SeattleFWC26) organizers, who wanted to create something memorable as excitement builds for the tournament. What started as a creative brainstorming idea eventually became one of the boldest World Cup displays in the city so far.
To pull it off, crews from Seattle-based Long Painting Company worked more than 600 feet above Seattle Center, carefully painting the Space Needle’s iconic roof with the custom black-and-white soccer ball pattern. The project required detailed planning, specialized equipment, and plenty of coordination, all while keeping a close eye on Seattle’s unpredictable weather.
The transformation was captured through drone footage and time-lapse photography, documenting the process of turning one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks into a tribute to the World Cup.
Now complete, the redesigned Space Needle can be spotted from around the city and is already becoming a popular conversation piece. Organizers expect it to be one of the standout visual symbols of Seattle’s World Cup celebrations. Other recent innovations in the Emerald City ahead of the World Cup include a drone show at Seattle Center featuring the score on match days, a floating barge with a soccer pitch on the waterfront, and new water bottle refill stations and public restrooms installed in downtown Seattle.
Seattle is one of 16 host cities selected for FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be the largest World Cup tournament ever held. The city is set to host six matches throughout June and July and welcome hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world. To prepare, see our guide to the World Cup in Seattle as well as our roundup of free things to do in Seattle on World Cup match days.
